Components of carbon monoxide transfer at different alveolar volumes during mechanical ventilation in pigs

We studied the effect of increasing alveolar volume on pulmonary carbon monoxide transfer (DLCO) and its components, i.e. membrane diffusing capacity (DM) and capillary blood volume (Qc), during mechanical ventilation in eight anaesthetized and paralysed healthy pigs (mean weight 11.2 kg). We used an inspiratory pause procedure for simulation of the single-breath technique, and inflated 15, 20, 25 and 30 ml kg-1 in random order. DM and Qc were derived using the Roughton-Forster equation. Per litre BTPS increase in effective VA, DLCO (inspiratory oxygen fraction 0.30) decreased on average by 11.8 mumol s-1 kPa-1, DM slightly increased by 2.7 mumol s-1 kPa-1 and Qc decreased by 241 ml. The increase in DM was much smaller than might be expected from the increase in VA, which we ascribe to a loss of the alveolar capillary membrane for gas transfer because of the concomitant decrease in Qc. The decrease in Qc may be explained by a squeezing effect of the intrapulmonary pressure rise on the alveolar wall and by stretching of lung tissue.