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J Appl Physiol 88: 1155-1166, 2000;
8750-7587/00 $5.00
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Vol. 88, Issue 4, 1155-1166, April 2000

Magnetic resonance behavior of normal and diseased lungs: spherical shell model simulations

Carl H. Durney1, Antonio G. Cutillo2, and David C. Ailion3

Departments of 1 Electrical Engineering, 2 Medicine, and 3 Physics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112


    ABSTRACT
TOP
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
METHODS
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
REFERENCES

The alveolar air-tissue interface affects the lung NMR signal, because it results in a susceptibility-induced magnetic field inhomogeneity. The air-tissue interface effect can be detected and quantified by measuring the difference signal (Delta ) from a pair of NMR images obtained using temporally symmetric and asymmetric spin-echo sequences. The present study describes a multicompartment alveolar model (consisting of a collection of noninteracting spherical water shells) that simulates the behavior of Delta  as a function of the level of lung inflation and can be used to predict the NMR response to various types of lung injury. The model was used to predict Delta  as a function of the inflation level (with the assumption of sequential alveolar recruitment, partly parallel to distension) and to simulate pulmonary edema by deriving equations that describe Delta  for a collection of spherical shells representing combinations of collapsed, flooded, and inflated alveoli. Our theoretical data were compared with those provided by other models and with experimental data obtained from the literature. Our results suggest that NMR Delta  measurements can be used to study the mechanisms underlying the lung pressure-volume behavior, to characterize lung injury, and to assess the contributions of alveolar recruitment and distension to the lung volume changes in response to the application of positive airway pressure (e.g., positive end-expiratory pressure).

alveolar air-tissue interface; lung magnetic resonance imaging; lung pressure-volume behavior; alveolar recruitment; pulmonary edema


    INTRODUCTION
TOP
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
METHODS
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
REFERENCES

THE UNIQUE, FOAMLIKE STRUCTURE of the lung produces an NMR free induction decay (FID) in inflated lungs that is shorter than that observed in fully collapsed lungs or in solid tissue (1, 32). This shorter FID has been attributed to the effects of magnetic susceptibility differences between tissue and air (32). Because tissue is slightly diamagnetic, the extensive alveolar air-tissue interfaces perturb the magnetic flux density, causing internal (tissue-induced) magnetic field inhomogeneity (also termed inhomogeneous NMR line broadening), which is responsible for the NMR signal loss (shortening of the FID). Detergent foams, slurries, and shaving cream have also been found to produce shortened FIDs (1, 32).

In previous work (5, 7, 8, 13, 17) the effects of internal magnetic field inhomogeneity on the NMR signal (also called susceptibility effects) have been quantified by measuring a difference signal denoted by Delta . The basic principles underlying the measurement of Delta  are discussed in detail in a previous publication (13). Briefly, Delta  is the difference between spin-echo signals produced by temporally symmetric and asymmetric spin-echo sequences. A spin-echo sequence (Fig. 1) is symmetric if the time tau  from the center of the 90° pulse to the center of the 180° pulse is equal to the time tau ' from the center of the 180° pulse to the center of the echo. The spin-echo sequence is asymmetric if tau  not equal  tau '. The magnitude of the temporal asymmetry is expressed by the asymmetry time Delta tau a = tau 'a - tau a. Delta  is generally determined, by subtraction, from two NMR images (obtained using, respectively, symmetric and asymmetric spin-echo sequences with asymmetry times of 3-6 ms). It is expressed as the difference between the symmetric and asymmetric signal intensities divided by the symmetric signal intensity (see METHODS). In inflated lungs the internal magnetic field inhomogeneity caused by the presence of the alveolar air-tissue interface reduces the asymmetric signal but not the symmetric signal (see METHODS). Therefore, Delta  is a measure of the alveolar air-tissue interface effects and reflects the state of lung inflation. For example, Delta  is expected to be zero for fully collapsed (nonaerated) lungs and to increase markedly as the lungs are inflated (13).


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Fig. 1.   Symmetric (A) and asymmetric (B) spin-echo pulse sequences that produce symmetric and asymmetric signals from which difference signal (Delta ) is obtained. B1, radio-frequency magnetic field; FID, free induction decay signal; Gx, x component of magnetic field gradient; A1, area of gradient pulse; tau , time between 90° and 180° pulses; tau ', time between 180° pulse and peak of echo signal. tau s = tau 's in symmetric sequence; tau a not equal  tau 'a in asymmetric sequence. Magnetic field gradients in y and z directions are not shown. [From Durney et al. (16).]

The connection between lung structure and Delta  has been explained in terms of "thick" and "thin" material (16, 17). "Thickness" and "thinness" depend only on relative dimensions, not on absolute dimensions. Thick material (e.g., spheres and cubes) has approximately the same dimensions in three orthogonal directions. Thin material (e.g., thin slabs and rods) has at least one dimension that is significantly less than the other two. Thin material produces a significantly nonzero Delta , whereas thick material produces a virtually zero Delta . The characteristics of Delta  for a given structure can be explained in terms of the relative amounts of thick and thin material present in the structure. For example, in fully collapsed lungs, only thick material is present, thus explaining the predicted zero Delta . As the lungs are inflated and the air spaces pop open, thick material is converted to thin material (the alveolar septa in aerated alveoli), and Delta  increases rapidly. The results of measurements of Delta  as a function of the inflation level in excised rat lungs (13, 14) agree with the above theoretical concepts. These measurements have shown that, as predicted, Delta  is very low in degassed lungs, because degassing virtually eliminates the alveolar air-tissue interface. The common observation of a low, but not zero as predicted, Delta  in degassed lungs likely reflects the presence of small, macroscopically undetectable amounts of gas (13, 14). Comparative data (45) indicate that degassing by the oxygen-absorption method is more effective than in vacuo degassing. However, minute amounts of gas can even be found in lungs degassed by the oxygen-absorption method (14). When measured at an asymmetry time of 6 ms in initially degassed normal lungs, Delta  (Delta 6 ms) increases markedly with alveolar opening and then varies very little during the rest of the inflation-deflation cycle (13). The behavior of Delta  measured at other asymmetry times (Delta 3 ms and Delta 5 ms) is qualitatively similar (13).

These results have interesting physiological implications, because they suggest that Delta  measurements at appropriate asymmetry times are very sensitive to alveolar recruitment and are relatively insensitive to changes in the volume of open air spaces (13). This conclusion is also supported by the results of a comparison of Delta  and morphometric measurements in normal excised rat lungs at two levels of inflation (14) and by theoretical calculations (model simulations of the behavior of Delta 3 ms and Delta 6 ms as a function of lung air content) (13, 16). Therefore, Delta  measurements may provide a means for assessing the roles of alveolar recruitment and distension in the pressure-volume (P-V) behavior of lung. In addition, flooding of alveoli (e.g., in pulmonary edema) would be expected to reduce Delta  significantly, because it obliterates the air-tissue interface, converting thin material to thick material. Simulations of alveolar flooding with use of spherical-shell models (see below) have shown that flooding does indeed dramatically decrease Delta  (16). These predictions have been confirmed experimentally by the results of Delta  measurements in edematous (oleic acid-injured) or saline-filled lungs (14). The strong dependence of Delta  on the state of lung inflation and on pathological conditions affecting the alveolar air-tissue interface suggests the possibility of characterizing lung injury and the response of injured lungs to changes in inflation pressure by Delta  measurements in conjunction with other NMR measurements (e.g., determination of lung water content). This potential for injury characterization is important, because the alveolar air-tissue interface is affected by many experimental and clinical conditions. As mentioned above, a loss of air-tissue interface occurs in experimental or clinical pulmonary edema [e.g., in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)] because of alveolar flooding and collapse. A clinical example of the response of injured lungs to changes in inflation pressure is the increase in lung volume due to the application of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) in ARDS patients (35). This volume response may result from reopening (recruitment) of collapsed and flooded alveoli and/or from further distension of already open air spaces.

In previous studies (5, 7, 8, 13, 16, 17) we used several lung models to simulate the NMR behavior of lung as a function of the level of inflation. These simulations are based on the assumption that all lung units operate synchronously (i.e., all alveoli are recruited simultaneously and then uniformly distended) and, therefore, behave virtually as a single-compartment system. In the present study our simulations are extended by considering the case of a multicompartment model in which the individual units operate asynchronously. This approach allows not only a more comprehensive evaluation of the process of lung inflation but also the extension of our simulations to diseased lungs. Multicompartment models can be used to simulate the NMR properties of edematous lungs (in particular, the response of collapsed or flooded alveoli to changes in inflation pressure, such as in the application of PEEP). Our simulations indicate that the two basic mechanisms potentially responsible for the increase in lung volume induced by PEEP (alveolar recruitment and distension) may be distinguished by Delta  measurements. This distinction is important not only in research, but also in clinical medicine, as discussed below.

In this study a simple multicompartment model is described to predict the response of Delta  to alveolar recruitment and distension in normal and edematous lungs. Then calculated results are presented and discussed.


    METHODS
TOP
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
METHODS
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
REFERENCES

Selection of the lung model. The behavior of Delta  as a function of the lung inflation level can be simulated by models consisting of a simple air-filled spherical shell or arrays of air spaces in a water medium (5, 7, 8, 13, 16, 17). The air spaces can be spherical (spherical foam), cubical (cubical foam), or polyhedral (Wigner-Seitz) (3). Spherical-foam, cubical-foam, and Wigner-Seitz models are more accurate than the spherical-shell model, because they take into account the magnetic interaction between alveoli. A more detailed discussion of these models can be found elsewhere (16). The Wigner-Seitz model has been used in previous investigations (13, 14) to compare experimental Delta  measurements in lung with theoretical predictions. However, for the present study we selected a simple spherical-shell model, because the Wigner-Seitz model does not allow regional variations in air space size (which are required to simulate asynchronous and nonuniform volume changes in normal and diseased lungs). In this study the Wigner-Seitz model is used only for comparative purposes, as explained in greater detail below.

The present model simulates the parenchymal (respiratory) portion of the lung and basically corresponds to air and alveolar septal tissue. In the model the term "tissue" (corresponding to the spherical shell of water) refers to the normal lung tissue, which is assumed to consist of 100% water (whereas the real lung tissue contains a nonwater component and ~80% water). The term "water" refers to the extra water that accumulates in the interstitial tissue and in the air spaces in pulmonary edema. Interstitial edema and alveolar flooding are simulated by thickening the spherical water shell and by completely filling the spherical shell with water, respectively.

Spherical-shell model derivations. The spherical-shell model consists of a collection of noninteracting spherical shells, each one representing an alveolus. The great advantage of the spherical-shell model is its mathematical simplicity, which leads to understanding that would be difficult to obtain with more complicated models. Furthermore, previous calculations have shown that spherical-shell results are very similar to those obtained from more sophisticated models. The principal disadvantage of the spherical-shell model is that it does not include the effects of alveoli on each other in perturbing the magnetic flux density. The Delta  for a collection of noninteracting spherical shells has been described elsewhere (16); for the convenience of the reader, that derivation is briefly outlined here.

The derivation for Delta  begins with an expression for the y component of the magnetization of the spin echo at any time after the 180° pulse is applied (29)
<IT>M</IT><SUB><IT>y</IT></SUB> = <FR><NU>1</NU><DE>V<SUB>tT</SUB></DE></FR> <LIM><OP>∫</OP><LL>V<SUB>tT</SUB></LL></LIM> <IT>M</IT><SUB>0</SUB><IT>e</IT><SUP>−<IT>t</IT>/T<SUB>2</SUB></SUP> cos (&Dgr;&phgr;<SUB>1</SUB> + &Dgr;&phgr;<SUB>2</SUB>) dV (1)
where M0 is the thermal equilibrium magnetization, T2 is the spin-spin relaxation time, Vt T is the total volume (tissue and water) that produces magnetization, Delta phi 1 = -Delta omega tau  - gamma Gx0xtau 1 (phase change between the 90° and 180° pulses), Delta phi 2 = Delta omega t' + gamma Gx0x(t - tau 2) (phase change between the 180° pulse and the echo), t' = t - tau  (t is time after the 90° pulse, and t' is time after the 180° pulse), Delta omega  = gamma B0 + gamma Delta B - omega , gamma  is the gyromagnetic ratio, B0 is the applied direct-current magnetic field, Delta B is the internal magnetic field inhomogeneity induced by the tissue, Gx0 is the magnitude of the x gradient, x is the distance along the x-axis, and tau  is the time between the 90° and the 180° pulse (tau s or tau a in Fig. 1). Other terms (e.g., tau 1 and tau 2) are defined in Fig. 1. Substituting the expressions for Delta phi 1 and Delta phi 2 given above into Eq. 1 and using the convenient definition that tau ' is the time from the 180° pulse to the peak of the echo so that tau  + tau ' tau 1 + tau 2 gives
<IT>M</IT><SUB><IT>y</IT></SUB> = <FR><NU>1</NU><DE>V<SUB>tT</SUB></DE></FR> <LIM><OP>∫</OP><LL>V<SUB>tT</SUB></LL></LIM> <IT>M</IT><SUB>0</SUB><IT>e</IT><SUP>−<IT>t</IT>/T<SUB>2</SUB></SUP> cos {&Dgr;ω(<IT>t</IT> − 2&tgr;) + &ggr;<IT>G</IT><SUB><IT>x</IT>0</SUB><IT>x</IT>[<IT>t</IT> −(&tgr; + &tgr;′)]} dV (2)
Because the cosine functions in Eq. 2 at different points in space will be out of phase with each other when Delta omega and Gx0x vary with space, integrating these functions over Vt T reduces My compared with its value if all the cosine functions were in phase. Refocusing of the dephasing caused by Delta omega occurs at t = 2tau , and refocusing of the dephasing caused by Gx0 occurs at t = tau  + tau '. The spin-echo signal will be largest if refocusing of both dephasings occurs at the same instant of time, i.e., if 2tau  = tau  + tau ' and, therefore, tau  = tau '. Because tau s = tau 's, the spin-echo amplitude is not reduced by tissue-induced inhomogeneous line broadening for the symmetric signal (Fig. 1). On the other hand, the asymmetric sequence does produce a reduced spin-echo amplitude, because tau a not equal  tau 'a. Thus the difference between the symmetric (My s) and asymmetric (My a) spin-echo signals can be used as a measure of tissue-induced inhomogeneous line broadening.

This Delta  is defined as
&Dgr; = <FR><NU><IT>M</IT><SUB><IT>y</IT> s</SUB> − <IT>M</IT><SUB><IT>y</IT> a</SUB></NU><DE><IT>M</IT><SUB><IT>y</IT> s</SUB></DE></FR> (3)
where
<IT>M</IT><SUB><IT>y</IT>s</SUB> = <IT>M</IT><SUB><IT>y</IT></SUB>‖<SUB><IT>t</IT>=&tgr;<SUB>s</SUB>+&tgr;<SUB>s</SUB><SUP>′</SUP>=2&tgr;<SUB>s</SUB></SUB> = <FR><NU>1</NU><DE>V<SUB>tT</SUB></DE></FR> <LIM><OP>∫</OP><LL>V<SUB>tT</SUB></LL></LIM> <IT>M</IT><SUB>0</SUB><IT>e</IT><SUP>−<IT>t</IT>/T<SUB>2</SUB></SUP> dV (4)
and
<IT>M</IT><SUB><IT>y</IT>a</SUB> = <IT>M</IT><SUB><IT>y</IT></SUB>‖<SUB><IT>t</IT>=&tgr;<SUB>a</SUB>+&tgr;<SUB>a</SUB><SUP>′</SUP></SUB> = <FR><NU>1</NU><DE>V<SUB>tT</SUB></DE></FR> <LIM><OP>∫</OP><LL>V<SUB>tT</SUB></LL></LIM> <IT>M</IT><SUB>0</SUB><IT>e</IT><SUP>−<IT>t</IT>/T<SUB>2</SUB></SUP> cos(&Dgr;ω&Dgr;&tgr;<SUB>a</SUB>) dV (5)
and Delta tau a = tau 'a - tau a. For spherical shells consisting of homogeneous tissue or water, the perturbation of the spatially uniform B0 will be on the order of a few parts per million. Consequently, M0 will be spatially uniform within a few parts per million and, to a good approximation, can be considered spatially uniform. For homogeneous material, T2 is also spatially uniform. Therefore, assuming that M0 and T2 do not vary with space, we obtain
&Dgr; = 1 − <FR><NU>1</NU><DE>V<SUB>tT</SUB></DE></FR> <LIM><OP>∫</OP><LL>V<SUB>tT</SUB></LL></LIM> cos(&Dgr;ω&Dgr;&tgr;<SUB>a</SUB>) dV (6)
Because Vt T in Eq. 6 is the entire volume in which magnetization is produced, Delta  for a collection of noninteracting spherical shells of different sizes is obtained by integrating over all the shells in Eq. 6 to obtain
&Dgr; = 1 − <FR><NU>1</NU><DE>V<SUB>tT</SUB></DE></FR> <LIM><OP>∑</OP><LL><IT>i</IT></LL></LIM> <LIM><OP>∫</OP><LL>V<SUB>t<IT>i</IT></SUB></LL></LIM> cos(&Dgr;ω<SUB><IT>i</IT></SUB>&Dgr;&tgr;<SUB>a</SUB>) dV (7)
where Vt i is the tissue and/or water volume of the ith shell (i.e., Vt i is the volume that produces magnetization in the ith shell) and Vt T is the total magnetization-producing volume of all the shells given by
V<SUB>tT</SUB> = <LIM><OP>∑</OP><LL><IT>i</IT></LL></LIM> V<SUB>t<IT>i</IT></SUB> (8)
It is convenient to write Delta  for the entire collection of shells, as given in Eq. 7, in terms of Delta i (Delta  of the ith shell), defined as
&Dgr;<SUB><IT>i</IT></SUB> = 1 − <FR><NU>1</NU><DE>V<SUB>t<IT>i</IT></SUB></DE></FR> <LIM><OP>∫</OP><LL>V<SUB>t<IT>i</IT></SUB></LL></LIM> cos(&Dgr;ω<SUB><IT>i</IT></SUB>&Dgr;&tgr;<SUB>a</SUB>) dV (9)
Solving for <LIM><OP>∫</OP></LIM><SUB>V<SUB>t <IT>i</IT></SUB></SUB>cos(Delta omega iDelta tau a) from Eq. 9, substituting into Eq. 7, and using Eq. 8 gives
&Dgr; = <LIM><OP>∑</OP><LL><IT>i</IT></LL></LIM> <FR><NU>V<SUB>t<IT>i</IT></SUB></NU><DE>V<SUB>tT</SUB></DE></FR> &Dgr;<SUB><IT>i</IT></SUB> (10)
A principal advantage of the spherical-shell model is that Delta Bi contained in Delta omega i in Eq. 9 is easily calculated for a spherical shell (7). Because Delta Bi is a function of r and theta  in standard spherical coordinates, the integral in Eq. 9 must be evaluated by some numerical method. In the calculations described below, we integrated with respect to r using a series expansion for the cosine function and then integrated numerically over theta .

Evaluating Eq. 9 requires choosing a value for the asymmetry time Delta tau a, which is a parameter under the control of the experimenter. For our purposes, the optimum value of Delta tau a would be one for which Delta  has a strong, but monotonic, dependence on lung inflation. Calculated values of Delta  for spherical-foam, Wigner-Seitz, and spherical-shell models as a function of lung inflation with Delta tau a as a parameter show that Delta  does increase monotonically with the level of lung inflation, but only for a specific range of values of Delta tau a (7, 16). Because the variation of Delta  with lung inflation is greater for larger values of Delta tau a than for smaller values (7, 13), larger values of Delta tau a would generally be better, but above a certain critical value of Delta tau a the variation of Delta  with lung inflation is no longer monotonic. For the spherical-foam and Wigner-Seitz models, and in actual lung, we have found the best value of Delta tau a to be 6 ms; for greater values, the dependence of Delta  on lung inflation is no longer monotonic. For the spherical-shell model, however, Delta  at Delta tau a = 6 ms (Delta 6 ms) does not vary monotonically with lung inflation, presumably because the spherical-shell model does not take into account the magnetic interaction between adjacent alveoli, which is included in the spherical-foam and Wigner-Seitz models. The best Delta tau a value for the spherical-shell model is 3 ms, for which the behavior of Delta  (Delta 3 ms) with lung inflation is very similar to, although not numerically the same as, that predicted for Delta tau a = 5-6 ms with use of more refined models. Thus the simulations based on Delta 3 ms for the spherical-shell model are also qualitatively applicable to the prediction of the experimental behavior of Delta 6 ms. Furthermore, because the spherical-shell model can simulate lung conditions (e.g., asynchronous behavior of parallel lung units) that cannot be analyzed by other models, it can provide valuable understanding not obtainable otherwise. For the above reasons (see Ref. 16 for a more detailed explanation), all the spherical-shell model calculations described in the present study were performed with the assumption that Delta tau a = 3 ms. Results of calculations based on Delta 6 ms and the Wigner-Seitz model were used only for comparisons with the spherical-shell model data and with experimental observations.

Because the level of lung inflation can be described in terms of air fraction [FA, air content as a fraction of total (air + tissue) volume], it is convenient for subsequent calculations to evaluate Eq. 10 for given FA values of individual spherical shells and the FA of a combination of shells. The FA of the ith spherical shell (FA i) is defined as
F<SUB>A<IT>i</IT></SUB> = <FR><NU>V<SUB>a<IT>i</IT></SUB></NU><DE>V<SUB>a<IT>i</IT></SUB> + V<SUB>t<IT>i</IT></SUB></DE></FR> (11)
where Va i is the air volume of the ith spherical shell and Vt i is the tissue volume of the ith spherical shell.

Similarly, FA, the air fraction for a collection of spherical shells, is given by
F<SUB>A</SUB> = <FR><NU><LIM><OP>∑</OP><LL><IT>i</IT></LL></LIM> V<SUB>a<IT>i</IT></SUB></NU><DE><LIM><OP>∑</OP><LL><IT>i</IT></LL></LIM> V<SUB>a<IT>i</IT></SUB> + V<SUB>tT</SUB></DE></FR> (12)
Solving for Va i from Eq. 11 and substituting into Eq. 12 gives
F<SUB>A</SUB> = <FR><NU>1</NU><DE>1 + 1 <FENCE> </FENCE><LIM><OP>∑</OP><LL><IT>i</IT></LL></LIM> <FENCE><FR><NU>F<SUB>A<IT>i</IT></SUB></NU><DE>(1 − F<SUB>A<IT>i</IT></SUB>)</DE></FR> <FR><NU>V<SUB>t<IT>i</IT></SUB></NU><DE>V<SUB>tT</SUB></DE></FR></FENCE></DE></FR> . (13)
Equations 12 and 13 are used subsequently to calculate Delta  for various simulated lung conditions.

Recruitment vs. distension: models of lung inflation. Essentially, lung inflation occurs by two basic processes: 1) recruitment of totally collapsed alveoli and 2) further distension of already open alveoli. Additional mechanisms, changes in alveolar shape and "accordion-like" unfolding of air spaces with no variation in the alveolar surface area (20), are not considered in our simulations, because they are not expected to affect Delta  sizably (unless they are associated with air space recruitment, in which case the predicted effect on Delta  is that of process 1). The respective contributions of recruitment and distension to changes in lung volume vary according to the experimental conditions. For example, recruitment characterizes the inflation of nonaerated (initially degassed) excised lungs or the in vivo response to PEEP of groups of collapsed or flooded alveoli in edematous lungs. In contrast, alveolar distension is generally the mechanism responsible for lung volume changes in normal inflated lungs in vivo or in aerated alveoli in edematous lungs. On the basis of the above concepts, the process of inflation of a completely collapsed lung can be simulated using a model that can behave in two modes: synchronous and asynchronous. In the synchronous mode, all alveoli are recruited simultaneously (by application of an appropriate level of inflation pressure), instantly attaining a given volume, expressed by what we call the opening FA (which is constant for all alveoli). Then the alveoli gradually distend as the inflation pressure is further increased. The volume changes of the parallel alveolar units are strictly uniform also during this stage of the inflation process. In the asynchronous mode, all the alveoli are initially collapsed, as in the synchronous mode. When an appropriate inflation pressure is applied, some alveoli suddenly open (are recruited), attaining a certain opening FA. Then, as the inflation pressure is further raised, more alveoli open while the previously opened alveoli distend further. This process, in which recruitment and distension occur in a parallel manner, continues until all alveoli are recruited and fully distended. Because the predicted Delta  for a collapsed alveolus is zero, Delta  for a collection of alveoli, some of which are collapsed, will be smaller than Delta  for a collection of alveoli that are open. We expect, therefore, that Delta  calculated by the model in the asynchronous mode would be less than that predicted in the synchronous mode at all lung inflation levels at which alveolar recruitment is incomplete.


    RESULTS
TOP
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
METHODS
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
REFERENCES

Delta and lung inflation. Figure 2 shows Delta 3 ms as a function of FA (Delta -FA curves) calculated using the spherical-shell model in the synchronous (solid line) and asynchronous (dashed line) modes. The dashed lines are based on different values of the opening FA (50-80%, as indicated by arrows). In addition, the asynchronous-mode simulations presented in Fig. 2 assume that, initially, all the alveoli are completely collapsed (FA = 0). Then 5% of the alveoli suddenly open with an opening FA of 50, 60, 70, or 80%. Subsequently, another 5% open, and the previously opened 5% further distend so that their FA is now 55, 65, 75, or 85%. Then another 5% open with an FA of 50-80%, and the FA of the previously opened alveoli increase 5% each, so that FA is 60, 70, 80, or 90% for the first 5% and 55, 65, 75, or 85% for the second 5%. When the recruited alveoli distend to FA of 90%, they are assumed to remain at that FA, distending no further. This pattern continues until all the alveoli are open to FA of 90%.


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Fig. 2.   NMR Delta  (percentage of symmetric signal intensity) for asymmetry time of 3 ms (Delta 3 ms) as a function of air fraction [FA, air content as a fraction of total (air + tissue) volume], calculated using spherical-shell model in synchronous and asynchronous modes. Solid line, synchronous mode, in which all alveoli are recruited simultaneously and then distend as inflation pressure is further increased. Dashed lines, asynchronous mode, in which alveolar recruitment and distension are partly parallel.

As expected, in the asynchronous-mode simulation, Delta 3 ms rises much more slowly than predicted by the model in the synchronous mode, and the shapes of the two curves are quite different. In contrast, the lines describing the behavior of the model in the asynchronous mode for different opening FA have very similar shapes, although they differ numerically. To help explain these shapes, Fig. 3 provides an expanded view of the bottom left of Fig. 2, showing only the 70 and 80% curves. Points A and C correspond to 5% of recruited alveoli with opening FA of 70 and 80%, respectively. At points B and D, 10% of the alveoli are recruited. Point C is only slightly higher than point A, and point D is only slightly higher than point B, indicating that variations in the opening FA have little effect on Delta . Point C, however, is substantially further to the right than point A, because the opening FA affects the total FA significantly. Thus because the opening FA affects Delta  only slightly but affects FA substantially, the 80% curve rises less steeply than the 70% curve.


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Fig. 3.   Expanded view of bottom left of Fig. 2 showing only 2 lower dashed lines. Point A, 5% of alveoli are recruited with an individual opening FA of 70%. Point B, 5% of alveoli are recruited with an individual opening FA of 70%, and another 5% are further distended to an FA of 75%. Point C, 5% of alveoli are recruited with an opening FA of 80%. Point D, 5% of alveoli are recruited with an opening FA of 80%, and another 5% are further distended to an FA of 85%.

The continuous line and each of the dashed lines shown in Fig. 2 circumscribe an area that encompasses a wide spectrum of possible lung inflation behaviors, ranging from perfect synchrony in the function of the alveolar units (spherical-shell model in the synchronous mode) to a very high degree of asynchrony (alveolar recruitment is distributed over the entire course of the inflation limb of the P-V curve and occurs parallel to distension).

Theoretical predictions and experimental data. The lack of sufficient experimental Delta 3 ms data in the literature prevented a direct comparison of our model predictions with Delta 3 ms measurements at various levels of lung inflation. Because the spherical-shell model does not include the magnetic interaction between alveoli, we expect calculated values of Delta  for the spherical-shell model to correlate qualitatively with experimental values, but not numerically. We do expect Delta 6 ms for the Wigner-Seitz model in the synchronous mode to correlate numerically with measured values in the lung if the lung is behaving in the synchronous mode. However, as mentioned previously, the Wigner-Seitz model cannot simulate asynchronous behavior, whereas the spherical-shell model can. We have found that the most meaningful way to compare Delta 3 ms for the spherical-shell model qualitatively with available experimental results is to simulate experimental data that have approximately the same qualitative relationship to the synchronous-mode, spherical-shell Delta 3 ms as published experimental values of Delta 6 ms have to the synchronous-mode Delta 6 ms calculated from the Wigner-Seitz model. Figure 4 shows the Wigner-Seitz-calculated Delta 6 ms as a function of inflation level (also expressed by FA), with the assumption of perfectly synchronous alveolar recruitment/distension. Clearly, the behavior of Wigner-Seitz synchronous-mode Delta 6ms is very similar qualitatively to that of the spherical-shell synchronous-mode Delta 3 ms shown in Fig. 2, although the Delta 6 ms curve is more markedly nonlinear than the Delta 3 ms curve.


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Fig. 4.   Experimental measurements of NMR Delta  obtained at an asymmetry time of 6 ms (Delta 6 ms) in normal (initially degassed) excised unperfused rat lungs. Solid curve, relationship between Delta 6 ms and FA, as predicted by Wigner-Seitz model. Model assumes that alveolar recruitment occurs initially and simultaneously in whole lung, to be followed by regionally uniform alveolar distension. Data points represent measurements at different levels of inflation in 4 excised lungs, each identified by a different symbol (+, *, open circle , ×). Lungs were initially degassed in vacuo. FA was estimated from lung volume measurements by a magnetic resonance imaging technique (13) as FA = (Vin - Vdeg)/Vin, where Vin is volume at a given level of inflation and Vdeg is volume of degassed lung. Experimental data were obtained from measurements performed in a previous study (13).

Figure 4 also shows four sets of experimental measurements of Delta 6 ms obtained in a previous investigation (13) from normal excised unperfused rat lungs, each studied at multiple levels of inflation. The corresponding FA values were estimated from lung volume measurements by a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging technique (Fig. 4). Figure 5 shows four sets of corresponding simulated experimental data that have approximately the same qualitative relationship to the spherical-shell synchronous-mode Delta 3 ms-FA curve as the experimental data in Fig. 4 have to the Wigner-Seitz synchronous-mode Delta 6 ms-FA curve. No simulated experimental values were included at FA = 0, because the Delta  corresponding to this experimental point can be affected by the presence of minute (macroscopically undetectable) amounts of gas (see the introduction). To determine the type of lung inflation behavior that might be represented by the simulated experimental data, we used a computer program that tries various combinations of the following four parameters: 1) the FA at which the recruited alveoli open, 2) the percentage of collapsed alveoli that are recruited at each step, 3) the FA at which the recruited alveoli distend at each step, and 4) the alveolar FA at the onset of the inflation process, if the alveoli are not completely collapsed. The program searches for a combination of these four parameters that produces the best fit of the calculated Delta 3 ms-FA curve to the simulated experimental data. The resulting curves that fit the four sets of simulated experimental data are shown in Fig. 6; corresponding combinations of the above four parameters are described in the legend of Fig. 6. For three excised lungs (Fig. 6, A-C), the results of our model calculations are consistent with an asynchronous lung inflation behavior, characterized by a wide distribution of alveolar recruitment over the span of lung inflation. In contrast, in one lung (Fig. 6D), the results of our simulations are consistent with virtually all alveolar recruitment occurring at an earlier stage of inflation. In two of the sets of data shown in Fig. 6 (asterisks and open circles in B and C), the Delta 3ms-FA curve fitted to the simulated experimental data indicates an initial nonzero (although physiologically insignificant) value for FA. This nonzero value likely reflects the presence of minute amounts of gas in conventionally degassed lungs, as discussed above and in the introduction.


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Fig. 5.   Solid line, NMR Delta  for asymmetry time of 3 ms (Delta 3 ms) as a function of FA, calculated using spherical-shell model in synchronous mode. Symbols (+, *, open circle , ×) indicate simulated experimental data corresponding to 4 sets of actual experimental data presented in Fig. 4. Therefore, relationship of simulated experimental data to spherical-shell, synchronous-mode Delta 3 ms-FA curve is similar to relationship of actual experimental data (Fig. 4) to Wigner-Seitz synchronous-mode Delta 6 ms-FA curve.



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Fig. 6.   NMR Delta  for asymmetry time of 3 ms (Delta 3 ms) as a function of FA, according to spherical-shell model. Solid lines, relationship between Delta 3 ms and FA calculated using this model in synchronous mode; dashed lines, Delta 3 ms-FA lines fitted to simulated experimental data shown in Fig. 5. In A, dashed line is calculated with assumption that all alveoli are initially collapsed (FA = 0). Then 14% of alveoli are recruited with opening FA = 49.9%. Subsequently, another 14% of alveoli are recruited, and previously recruited 14% of alveoli are further distended so that FA = 53.9%. Pattern continues until all alveoli are open and distended to FA = 90%. In B, dashed line is calculated with the assumption that initially all alveoli are almost totally collapsed with individual FA = 4.7%. Then 10% of alveoli are recruited with opening FA = 34.8%. Subsequently, another 10% of alveoli are recruited, and previously recruited 10% of alveoli are further distended to FA = 41.7%. Pattern continues until all alveoli are open and distended to FA = 90%. In C, dashed line is calculated with assumption that initially all alveoli are almost totally collapsed with individual FA = 8%. Then 12% of alveoli are recruited with opening FA = 27%. Subsequently, another 12% of alveoli are recruited, and previously recruited 12% of alveoli are further distended to FA = 34%. Pattern continues until all alveoli are open and distended to FA = 90%. In D, dashed line is calculated with assumption that all alveoli are simultaneously recruited with an individual opening FA = 35%. Then 3% of alveoli are further distended to FA = 80%. Subsequently, another 3% of alveoli are further distended to FA = 80%, and 3% of alveoli previously distended to FA = 80% are further distended to FA = 85%. Pattern continues until all alveoli are distended to FA = 90%.

Response to PEEP in lung injury. Here, lung injury is modeled as causing alveolar collapse and/or flooding, and the spherical-shell model is used to simulate the response of injured lungs to changes in inflation pressure, such as in the application of PEEP. Alveolar recruitment and alveolar overdistension are two mechanisms potentially responsible for the lung volume changes occurring with PEEP. Because Delta  is affected so differently by recruitment and distension, as shown by the results of our previous studies (see above and the introduction), Delta  measurements might distinguish between these two mechanisms.

Figure 7 shows the Delta  for a simulation of the response of a lung with collapsed alveoli to the application of PEEP. Consider a possible lung condition (point A in Fig. 7) in which 40% of the alveoli are collapsed and 60% are inflated to an FA of 70%. Point A shows Delta  and FA before PEEP is applied. Then, because the tissue volume of the alveoli is assumed to be unchanged when the alveoli are inflated, we can calculate FA for this lung condition. FA for point A is calculated from Eq. 13. Let N be the total number of alveoli and Vt be the tissue volume of one individual alveolus (Vt is the same for a collapsed and an inflated alveolus). The FA i for all the collapsed alveoli is zero. For all the inflated alveoli, FA i is 70%. Also, Vt T = NVt. Because all the inflated alveoli are identical and because the total number of inflated alveoli is 0.6N, the summation in Eq. 13 reduces to
<LIM><OP>∑</OP><LL><IT>i</IT></LL></LIM> <FR><NU>F<SUB>A<IT>i</IT></SUB></NU><DE>1 − F<SUB>A<IT>i</IT></SUB></DE></FR> <FR><NU>V<SUB>t<IT>i</IT></SUB></NU><DE>V<SUB>tT</SUB></DE></FR> = 0.6<IT>N</IT> <FR><NU>0.7</NU><DE>(1 − 0.7)</DE></FR> <FR><NU>V<SUB>t</SUB></NU><DE><IT>N</IT>V<SUB>t</SUB></DE></FR> = <FR><NU>(0.6)(0.7)</NU><DE>1 − 0.7</DE></FR>
and
F<SUB>A</SUB> = <FR><NU>1</NU><DE>1 + 1 <FENCE> </FENCE><FR><NU>(0.6)(0.7)</NU><DE>(1 − 0.7)</DE></FR></DE></FR> = 0.5833 = 58.33%
The Delta  for point A is calculated from Eq. 10 to be Delta  = 0.6Delta i. From Fig. 7, when FA is 70% for the normal lung, we find that Delta i is 86.91%.


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Fig. 7.   NMR Delta  for an asymmetry time of 3 ms (Delta 3 ms) as a function of FA: effect of recruitment of collapsed alveoli and distension of aerated alveoli in response to positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) predicted using spherical-shell model in asynchronous mode. In this case, 40% of alveoli are collapsed and 60% are inflated before PEEP is applied. Point A, Delta  before application of PEEP; normal (aerated) alveoli (n) are inflated to FA n = 70%, so that FA for entire lung is 58.33%. Points B-E, effect on Delta  of recruitment of collapsed alveoli. Percentage of recruited alveoli is shown in parentheses; in each case, recruited alveoli are inflated to FA = 70%, and normal alveoli are further distended so that FA of entire lung is 70%. FA n values for normal alveoli for points B, C, D, and E are 79.55, 76.77, 73.13, and 70.00%, respectively. Solid line, which describes relationship between Delta 3 ms and FA for normal lung (spherical-shell model, synchronous mode), is shown for reference.

We see that although the normal alveoli (n) are inflated to FA n (air fraction for the normal aerated alveoli) of 70%, the presence of the 40% collapsed alveoli lowers FA to 58.33% and lowers Delta  from 86.91% of normal lung at FA of 70% to 52.15%. Point B indicates the response to PEEP if none of the collapsed alveoli are recruited and the 60% normal alveoli distend in response to PEEP to FA i of 79.55% (see Eq. 13), so that FA of the entire lung is 70%. Because distension has a much smaller effect on Delta  than recruitment (see the introduction), point B is only slightly higher than point A. Point C corresponds to partial recruitment, with 15% recruited alveoli opening with an FA of 70% and the 60% normal alveoli distending to FA i of 76.77%, so that the FA for the entire lung is 70%. In contrast to the previous case, point C is much higher than point A. Thus recruitment increases Delta  much more than distension of open alveoli. Points D and E show that increased recruitment results in correspondingly greater changes in Delta . Recruitment has such a significant effect on Delta , because it increases the relative amount of thin material and decreases the relative amount of thick material, while the total volume of tissue remains the same.

Figure 8 shows similar calculated data for the response to PEEP of an edematous lung with flooded alveoli. In this simulation, when the alveolus is recruited, the water flooding the air space before recruitment is assumed to be redistributed over the surface of the inflated alveolus and/or moved into the interstitial space (see DISCUSSION). Thus the total amount of NMR signal-producing volume remains the same before and after recruitment, similar to the conditions for recruitment of collapsed alveoli. Figures 7 and 8 show that the presence of the 40% flooded alveoli lowers Delta  more than the 40% collapsed alveoli. This lower Delta  occurs because the water flooding the alveoli is additional thick water. Furthermore, recruitment of flooded alveoli causes greater changes in Delta  than recruitment of collapsed alveoli. This greater change occurs because recruiting flooded alveoli converts the thick water flooding the air space to thin water in (or lining) the alveolar walls, thus converting more thick water to thin water than occurs in recruitment of collapsed alveoli. Moreover, the presence of the 40% flooded alveoli also lowers FA more than the presence of the 40% collapsed alveoli (cf. Figs. 7 and 8), because the extra volume of water flooding the air spaces reduces the total FA.


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Fig. 8.   Calculated NMR Delta  for an asymmetry time of 3 ms (Delta 3 ms) as a function of FA in spherical-shell model simulating pulmonary edema: effect on Delta 3 ms of recruitment of flooded alveoli and distension of aerated alveoli in response to PEEP simulated using model in asychronous mode. In this example, 40% of alveoli are flooded and 60% are normal (aerated) before PEEP is applied. Point A, Delta  before application of PEEP; normal alveoli are inflated to FA n = 70%, so that FA for entire lung is 42%. Points B-E, effect of recruitment of flooded alveoli (percentage of recruited alveoli is indicated in parentheses); in each case, recruited alveoli are inflated to FA = 70%, and aerated alveoli are further distended so that FA of entire lung is 70%. FA n values for normal alveoli for points B, C, D, and E are 88.26, 84.79, 78.40, and 70.00%, respectively. Solid line, which describes relationship between Delta 3 ms and FA for normal lung (spherical-shell model, synchronous mode), is shown for reference.

Although there are no published experimental data regarding the effect of PEEP on Delta  in pulmonary edema, our theoretical predictions can be compared with the results of Delta  measurements in edematous excised rat lungs at multiple inflation pressures (14). In these lungs, Delta 6 ms rose markedly as airway pressure was increased; on the average, Delta 6 ms was 60 ± 6% at 5 cmH2O and 80 ± 5% at 30 cmH2O (at the same pressures, it was 84 ± 3 and 82 ± 4% in normal lungs). FA could not be systematically determined from lung volume measurements (because no absolute lung volume data were obtained in this study). However, in some edematous lungs fixed at 25-30 cmH2O, FA could be estimated roughly as FA = 1 - Vv (where Vv is the morphometric lung tissue fraction) and was found to be 0.75-0.82. If these morphometric estimates adequately reflect the true values of FA, then the values of Delta 6 ms observed at 25-30 cmH2O are not too far below the theoretical curve shown in Fig. 4. The above data, which are consistent with the behavior of our models, suggest that the volume response of the edematous lungs to the application of higher airway pressures included substantial recruitment of collapsed or flooded alveoli, with little alveolar flooding and atelectasis remaining at the highest level of inflation. This interpretation is consistent with histological results, which showed little evidence of alveolar flooding and collapse in the edematous lungs fixed by airway instillation at 25-30 cmH2O fixation pressure.


    DISCUSSION
TOP
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
METHODS
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
REFERENCES

Our results indicate that the relatively simple model developed in the present study can predict the effects of changes in the level of inflation on the NMR properties of normal and injured (edematous) lungs. Although more advanced models can be used to analyze the behavior of the NMR Delta  as a function of the level of inflation, the spherical-shell model offers a simple and convenient method for simulating regional nonuniformities in the lung P-V behavior. In normal lungs, this model provides a more realistic simulation of the process of inflation in initially degassed lungs. Although previous comparisons have shown good general agreement between theoretical predictions and experimental Delta  measurements (see Fig. 7 in Ref. 13), the present simulations allow a more precise interpretation of the observed discrepancies. The results of our qualitative comparison of theoretical and simulated experimental data suggest that the distribution of alveolar recruitment over the inflation limb of the lung P-V curve may vary markedly from lung to lung. The data obtained from lungs indicated by plus signs, asterisks, and open circles in Figs. 4, 5, and Fig. 6, A-C, are consistent with the assumption, underlying the spherical-shell model in the asynchronous mode, that alveolar recruitment is widely distributed over the inflation limb of the P-V curve and occurs, at least in part, parallel to distension. These results are in agreement with observations of the P-V behavior of excised lungs (37) and with experimental evidence obtained from morphometric and physiological studies (27, 41). However, the data from the lung indicated by × in Figs. 4, 5, and 6D suggest that, in some lungs, alveolar recruitment may be virtually complete at an earlier stage of the inflation curve. Measurements of Delta  were conducted under truly static conditions (i.e., each lung inflation level was maintained for several minutes before Delta  measurements were performed) (13); this procedure can be expected to maximize recruitment at lower inflation pressure levels (37).

The simple, but more flexible, spherical-shell model was used in the present study because of the limitations of the Wigner-Seitz model with respect to the specific purposes of the study (i.e., its inability to simulate lung regional nonuniformity, see METHODS). Because this model does not account for the magnetic interactions between spherical shells (see METHODS), its predictions cannot be compared numerically with experimental values, but they can be compared qualitatively. Qualitative comparisons between spherical-shell asynchronous-mode calculations and simulated experimental data (see RESULTS) have provided a basis for evaluating the physiological significance of the differences between the calculated synchronous-mode Wigner-Seitz Delta 6 ms data and the experimental measurements shown in Fig. 4 (assuming various patterns of alveolar recruitment and distension). The use of the spherical-shell model with an asymmetry time of 3 ms is justified by our previous theoretical studies and experimental measurements of Delta  at various asymmetry times and lung volumes (7, 13), which suggest that predictions made using Delta 3 ms can be qualitatively compared with experimental results for a Delta tau a range of at least 3-6 ms. Therefore, the spherical-shell model presented in this study provides virtually all the essential theoretical foundation for future experimental studies of the behavior of Delta  as a function of the inflation level (in particular, the response of Delta  to recruitment and distension). It can be expected that future systematic comparisons between theoretical and experimental Delta  data will indicate whether the development of more sophisticated models is warranted.

In the present study the spherical-shell model has been used to calculate theoretical Delta -FA curves on the basis of four parameters, i.e., the FA at which the recruited alveoli open, the percentage of collapsed alveoli that are recruited at each step, the FA at which the recruited alveoli distend at each step, and the alveolar FA at the beginning of the inflation process, if the alveoli are not completely collapsed (see RESULTS). Although there is no unique combination of the above parameters that will fit the experimental data points, the spherical-shell model can clearly assess the roles of alveolar recruitment and distension in the lung P-V behavior. For example, our data suggest that the model can distinguish whether alveolar recruitment is widely distributed over the range of the inflation process (Fig. 6, A-C) or occurs mostly at an earlier stage of this process (Fig. 6D). It can be expected that the analysis of the characteristic changes in the Delta -FA curve produced by varying the individual parameters will provide valuable information on the inflation behavior of normal and injured lungs. The present preliminary qualitative comparison of theoretical and simulated experimental data remains to be extended by systematic prospective studies specifically designed to characterize various possible patterns of lung inflation and the experimental conditions under which they may occur.

The models used in the present study simulate the NMR behavior of the parenchymal (respiratory) portion of the lung. Therefore, it is possible that these models overestimate Delta , which is likely lower in the nonparenchymal than in the parenchymal lung tissue. Simple preliminary calculations indicate that correction for the effect of the nonparenchymal tissue would cause a downward shift of the curve describing the relationship between Delta  and FA. However, the agreement usually observed between predicted and experimental Delta 6 ms values at high levels of inflation (13, 14) suggests that the overestimation is not substantial in excised unperfused lungs. Furthermore, it can be expected that our imaging technique will allow the selection of predominantly parenchymal lung regions in in vivo measurements of Delta .

Although the level of lung inflation depends on transpulmonary pressure and experimental Delta  data can be easily plotted as a function of inflation pressure (13, 14), in our models Delta  is described as a variable dependent on lung volume. This approach is justified by experimental data (13, 14) that clearly indicate that the applied pressure does not affect Delta  unless it results in alveolar recruitment (independently detected as a change in lung volume). Therefore, the role of inflation pressure in our simulations is purely instrumental, because the applied pressure is implied to vary to produce the volume changes assumed for the calculations. This approach simplifies our simulations and serves the main purpose of demonstrating the different effects of alveolar recruitment and distension on Delta  (and, therefore, the ability of Delta  measurements to distinguish these two mechanisms of lung inflation). On the other hand, the application of the spherical-shell model can be further refined by assuming changes in inflation pressure and calculating the corresponding lung volume changes on the basis of the well-known nonlinear lung P-V relationship. In this case, the changes in FA undergone by the parallel alveolar units during inflation will vary according to the P-V curve (instead of being constant, as in the simulations presented above). Because of the nonlinearity of the lung P-V curve and of the relationship between FA and conventional spirometric lung volume (see below), the FA changes at higher levels of lung inflation will be smaller than those assumed for the present simulations, thus further reducing the effect of alveolar distension on Delta . However, as shown by our calculations, the difference between the results obtained by these two approaches is minimal, because the effect of alveolar distension on Delta  is very small compared with the effect of recruitment. From a general point of view, the inclusion of pressure among the factors potentially affecting the behavior of our models is convenient, because it allows the evaluation of the effects of pathophysiologically and clinically relevant manipulations, such as the application of PEEP to promote alveolar recruitment in ARDS patients.

In the present simulations, lung air content is expressed as a fraction of total lung volume, which includes tissue volume. As noted above, the lung tissue volume is assumed to consist of 100% water, thus representing the NMR signal-producing component of the spherical-shell model (when the model simulates a normal lung). Experimentally, for example, in excised lung studies, the FA is a convenient index of lung air content, because it can be obtained, with sufficient approximation, from conventional measurements of lung weight (43) and volume (water-displacement technique) (39). The experimental FA values used for the comparison with our theoretical predictions (Fig. 4) were obtained by an MR imaging technique that has been shown to agree very closely with the standard water-displacement method (13). However, when the model is used to simulate clinical conditions (e.g., the effect of PEEP on Delta  in ARDS patients), it may be of interest to relate the FA to the much more common ratio of spirometric lung volume (VL) to total lung capacity (TLC). This relationship is defined by the expression VL/TLC = (1 - a)FA/a(1 - FA), where VL corresponds approximately to the air volume, Va (i.e., Sigma Va i in Eq. 12), ignoring the dead space volume, and a is the value of FA at TLC. On the basis of estimates obtained from published data for lung tissue volume (2, 4, 42, 44) and conventional spirometric lung volume values calculated using current prediction equations (6, 11, 12, 22-24, 36), the value of FA at TLC in normal subjects is ~90% and is only minimally affected by substantial variations in lung tissue volume and by using spirometric lung volume data from various sources or for different genders. Our estimates assume lung tissue volumes of 450-900 ml (values in women being ~75% of those in men) (4, 42), an age of 30 yr, and average anthropometric characteristics according to several published series (1.75 and 1.60 m height and 75 and 62 kg body wt for men and women, respectively). According to the above calculations, it can be estimated that FA values of 50-80% (i.e., in our models the values of FA that collapsed alveoli are assumed to attain instantaneously when recruited) correspond to VL/TLC of ~10-60%. In living humans, these VL/TLC values correspond to inflation levels encompassing residual volume and functional residual capacity. In patients with pulmonary edema, the value of FA at TLC is expected to be lower than in normal subjects, mainly depending on the severity of lung water accumulation. As discussed above (see Selection of the lung model), in our simulations the extra water accumulated in the interstitial space and in the alveoli increases the nongas component of the total volume of the lung.

Our simulations were performed by assuming different values for the opening FA, because the volume attained by recruited alveoli can be expected to vary depending on mechanical conditions. For example, studies in experimental animals and in humans (21, 31) indicate that the level of inflation varies throughout the lung. Radioactive gas measurements in normal humans (31) have shown that regional functional residual capacity and residual volume decrease substantially from the top to the bottom of the lung. However, the present results (Figs. 2 and 3) suggest that variations in the opening FA do not markedly affect the relationship between Delta  and the level of lung inflation.

Because the spherical-shell model does not take into account the magnetic interactions between spherical shells, the calculated values of Delta  are obtained by simple summation of the individual values for each spherical shell and, therefore, are not dependent on the spatial characteristics of alveolar collapse and flooding. Consequently, no assumptions were made, in the present simulations, regarding the spatial distribution of the collapsed or flooded units. However, regional differences in the behavior of the spherical-shell model can be simulated by separately displaying the values of Delta  calculated for different groups of spherical shells (an approach that would closely simulate the results of regional measurements by MR imaging). Although the simulation of the regional behavior of Delta  was not considered in the present study, it may be of interest, because in many experimental models (e.g., oleic acid-induced pulmonary edema), as well as in ARDS, lung injury is characterized by marked spatial nonuniformity (15, 18, 25, 26, 33, 40). As implied above, the distribution of alveolar flooding might significantly affect the behavior of Delta  in more refined lung models that take into account the magnetic interactions between alveoli.

In our simulations of the response of edematous lungs to PEEP, we have assumed that alveolar recruitment occurs because, as a result of this treatment, the edema fluid filling the air space is redistributed over the surface of the inflated alveolus and/or moved from the air space into the interstitial space (see RESULTS). Therefore, the total water content (including the edema fluid) of the lung model does not vary (although the average NMR signal-producing volume of water per unit model volume decreases as the level of air inflation increases). The assumption regarding the mechanisms of recruitment of flooded alveoli by PEEP is consistent not only with our histological observations (see RESULTS), but also with the results of other theoretical and experimental studies. Staub (43) and Malo et al. (28) calculated that, when flooded alveoli are inflated with air, the edema fluid will redistribute over the alveolar surface to form a thin layer of only a few micrometers. This redistribution is expected to affect Delta , because it creates an air-water interface and transforms thick material (the water filling a flooded alveolus) to thin material (the thin water layer lining a reinflated alveolus). In addition, several studies conducted on liquid-filled excised lungs have documented the transfer of water from the flooded air spaces to the interstitial space (9, 10, 19). Other published data suggest that the application of PEEP in experimental models of pulmonary edema results in inflation of flooded air spaces by moving alveolar water into the interstitial lung space (28, 34).

From a practical point of view, the results of the present study are of interest, because they provide the basic principles for a new nondestructive, and potentially noninvasive, approach to the study of the mechanisms underlying the P-V behavior of the lung. This approach is of particular relevance to the characterization of lung injury. When extended to the analysis of diseased lungs, the spherical-shell model can be used to simulate certain important elements of the lung response to injury, namely, alveolar collapse and edema, and to predict the characteristic effects of these abnormalities on the lung NMR properties. Our simulations of recruitment of collapsed and flooded alveoli in edematous lungs predict that Delta  measurements may be used to distinguish recruitment from distension in the lung volume response to changes in airway pressure (e.g., to the application of PEEP). This differentiation is important clinically, because, for example, alveolar recruitment results in improved arterial oxygenation and, therefore, is the desired response to PEEP in patients with ARDS. In contrast, alveolar overdistension has little effect on arterial oxygen and may cause lung damage in these patients (30, 35).


    ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We thank Sandra Lowe for secretarial assistance.


    FOOTNOTES

This research was supported by National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Grant HL-31216.

The costs of publication of this article were defrayed in part by the payment of page charges. The article must therefore be hereby marked "advertisement" in accordance with 18 U.S.C. §1734 solely to indicate this fact.

Address for reprint requests and other correspondence: A. G. Cutillo, Div. of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Occupational Pulmonary Medicine, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, 50 North Medical Dr., Salt Lake City, UT 84132 (E-mail: acutillo{at}hsc.utah.edu).

Received 30 July 1998; accepted in final form 27 October 1999.


    REFERENCES
TOP
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
METHODS
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
REFERENCES

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