Analysis of bronchial mechanics and density dependence of maximal expiratory flow

The computational model for expiratory flow in humans of Lambert and associates (J. Appl. Physiol. Respirat. Environ. Exercise Physiol. 52: 44-56, 1982) was used to investigate the effect of bronchial constrictions in three airway zones on the density dependence of maximal expiratory flow. It was found that constriction of the peripheral airways (less than 2 mm diam) reduced density dependence and increased the volume of isoflow. Constriction of the larger intraparenchymal airways resulted in increased density dependence at low lung volumes and essentially normal values at other volumes. The volume of isoflow was reduced. Extraparenchymal (but intrathoracic) airway constriction caused no change in the volume of isoflow but caused increased density dependence at the higher lung volumes. It was shown that in these model simulations the addition of extraparenchymal constriction to intraparenchymal constriction causes essentially no changes in density dependence. An increased volume of isoflow and significantly decreased density dependence at 50 and 25% vital capacity were produced by simulated constrictions only in the peripheral airways.