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Updated: Jun 13, 2026

A Novel Inhalation Mask System to Deliver High Concentrations of Nitric Oxide Gas in Spontaneously Breathing Subjects
Published on: May 4, 2021
Effect of blood redistribution on exhaled and alveolar nitric oxide: a hypergravity model study
Yannick Kerckx1, Lars L Karlsson, Dag Linnarsson
1Chest Department, Erasme University Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, CUB Erasme, 808 Route de Lennik, B-1070 Brussels, Belgium.
Abstract:
Alveolar (CA(NO)) and exhaled nitric oxide (FE(NO)) concentrations, mainly regarded as inflammation surrogates, may also be affected by perfusion redistribution changing alveolar transfer factor (DA(NO)). A model of blood redistribution is hypergravity, Karlsson et al. (2009b) found, at 2G, increases of 22% and 70%, for FE(NO), and CA(NO), respectively. The present study aimed at theoretically estimating the amplitude of DA(NO) changes that mimic these experimental data. An equation describing convection, diffusion and NO sources was solved in a 2-trumpet model (parallel dependent and non-dependent lung units). Acinar airways lumen reduction was also simulated. A reduction of 33% of the overall DA(NO) (-51% in the non-dependent unit) along with a 36% reduction of acinar airways lumen reproduced experimental findings. In conclusion, substantial FE(NO) and CA(NO) increases may be accounted for by a decrease of the alveolo-capillaries contact surface, here hypergravity-induced. Acinar airway constriction may also have a part in the overall FE(NO) increase.
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