A microcomputer-based respiratory heat exchange facility for use in the diagnosis of thermally induced asthma

Exercise-induced asthma is prevalent in many asthmatics and during the winter months can be exacerbated by cold air inhalation. A laboratory facility was required to permit early diagnosis of cold air sensitivity in these patients. This paper describes the development of a modular air conditioning system to produce a range of inhalative thermal burdens and the microcomputer interfacing to measure the rate of airway heat loss imposed. A single-stage refrigerator was built capable of cooling 150 l/min air to -25 degrees C. This was also used to generate dry ambient temperature air by rewarming the chilled air supply. An air humidifier was developed based upon natural convection and evaporation. It was capable of raising 150 l/min ambient air to 37 degrees C, 100 per cent relative humidity. In two pilot studies of 18 asthmatics it was found that the rate of respiratory heat exchange could be correlated with the magnitude of post exertional bronchoconstriction (lung dysfunction) and that exercise-induced asthma could be minimized by attenuating the rate of airway heat loss.