Abstract
A new experimental technique is proposed to localize the flow limiting segment(FLS) during forced expiration. The present technique is based on the pressure drip across FLS and a consequent change in airway resistance, which can provide an accurate and objective location of FLS. During forced expiratory maneuver artificially induced by a strong negative pressure (-100mmHg) applied at the trachea in an anesthetized open chest dog, airway resistance( R) was calculated from air flow and airway pres- sure signals at various airway locations and lung volumes, At the lung volumes above 10 % VC, FLS located in the trachea 6cm lower from the larynx. With the lung volume decreased below 8% VC, FLS jumped upstream to End-3rd generation of the airway. These results were similar with the previous reports from excised dog lungs, which demonstrated the validity of the present technique. Since the present technique provides a more objective measure of FLS location, it would be useful in future studies of expiratory flow limitation.
