Effect of gas physical properties and flow on lower pulmonary resistance

We measured lower pulmonary resistance (Rlp) in eight dogs and three men breathing gas mixtures having different densities (p) and similar viscosities (mu). Rlp increased with gas density and with flow rate (V). In the dogs, these effects were not observed in lung segments subtended from 4-mm-ID bronchi; in more central airways, resistance varied approximately as (mup V)0.5. These results are compatible with Poiseuille flow in peripheral airways, and, in central airways, with flow resistance described by the equation of boundary layer growth. Rather than two discrete flow regimes, it is likely that flow patterns undergo a continual metamorphosis as Reynolds' numbers (Re) decrease between trachea and alveoli. Accordingly, the airways pressure-flow relationship is not described by any single fluid dynamics equation, but may be explained by the general equation, P = Kmu2-apa-1Va, where a reflects the proportion of inertial to viscous pressure losses and varies between 1 and 2 according to Re. Rohrer's equation described the observed pressure-flow relationships and predicted the change in Rlp with gas physical properties, suggesting a physical basis underlying this adequate mathematical description.