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Regional lung function in spontaneous pneumothorax
The American Review of Respiratory Disease
|May 1, 1977
Summary
Pneumothorax abolishes gravitational effects on lung expansion and ventilation distribution. Uniform airway closure in affected lungs causes ventilation maldistribution, impacting spontaneous pneumothorax.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Physiology
- Thoracic Medicine
Background:
- Spontaneous pneumothorax can lead to ventilation maldistribution.
- Gravitational gradients normally influence regional lung expansion and gas exchange.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of pneumothorax on regional lung volumes and ventilation distribution.
- To determine if gravitational gradients are abolished in the presence of pneumothorax.
Main Methods:
- Regional lung volumes were measured using xenon-133 in three seated subjects with pneumothorax.
- Lung expansion, bolus distribution, and gas washout were analyzed in affected and contralateral lungs.
Main Results:
- No gravitational gradient of regional lung expansion was observed in the pneumothorax-affected lung.
- The contralateral lung showed an apex-to-base gradient of regional volume.
- Ventilation distribution was uniform from apex to base in the affected lung, with no prolonged washout half-times.
Conclusions:
- Pneumothorax abolishes gravitational gradients of pleural surface pressure, leading to uniform regional lung expansion.
- Uniform airway closure at low lung volumes in pneumothorax is the primary cause of ventilation maldistribution.
- These findings offer insights into the pathophysiology of spontaneous pneumothorax.