Theoretical Prediction of Lung Hyperinflation(LHI) Due to Asymmetric Pressure-Flow Characteristics of Human Airways During High Frequency Ventilation (HFV)

The hypothesis of asymmetric resistance to explain the phenomenon of lung hyperinflation (LHI) during hlgh frequency ventilation (HFV) was quantitatively studied. LHI was predicted by modeling the ism-volume pressure-flow (IVPF) data from 5 human subjects using the empirical Rohrer's equation. Non-steadiness during HFV was compensated by em- ploying recently proposed volume-frequency diagram. Tidal volume and ventilation frequency were 100 ml and 20 Hz, respectively. Airflow pattern was a symmetric sinusoid. The predic- tion results of mean pressure drop across the airways were averaged for those 5 subjects, and compared with zero by one-sided student's t-test. A marginally significant (P<0.1) increase in mean pressure drop was observed during HFV at low lung volumes (below FRC) , which could increase mean lung volume up to one liter When the lung volume was above FRC, no significant LHI (P >0.25) was resulted. LHI seemed to be inversely related to the lung volume. These results recommend to clinically apply HFV only at lung volumes above FRC.