Influence of expiratory flow rate on "closing volume" measurement

The influence of expiratory flow rate (VE) on the onset of phase IV was studied in 15 normal subjects. VE was controlled voluntarily and varied between 0.2 and 2.5 l/s. All subjects showed significantly higher values for CV/VC, % at expiratory flow rate of 1.0 and 1.5 l/s, compared to those estimated at 0.2 l/s. The correlation between CV and volume of flow limitation (VFL) was also studied. For most of the subjects a considerable disagreement between the two values at very low VE was found. At higher flows, however, CV and VFL agreed well. Our results indicate that CV measurement is markedly influenced by VE in the range 0.2--1.5 l/s. This finding gives further support to the hypothesis that CV is determined in part by dynamic flow-limiting properties of the lung as well as by true airway closure.