Dysanaptic growth of conducting airways after pneumonectomy assessed by CT scan

D. Merrill Dane, Robert L. Johnson, Connie C W Hsia

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

30 Scopus citations

Abstract

In immature dogs after pneumonectomy (PNX), pulmonary viscous resistance is persistently elevated predominantly as a result of a high airway resistance (Raw). We examined the anatomical basis for this observation by using computerized tomography scans obtained from foxhounds 4-10 mo after right PNX. Airways of the left lower lobe were followed from generations z = 0 (trachea) to z = 12. By 4 mo post-PNX, airway length increased significantly relative to sham-operated dogs, but airway cross-sectional area (CSA) did not. By 10 mo post-PNX, average airway CSA was 24% above that in controls. Theoretically, the increased airway length and CSA should reduce lobar Raw by 50%. However, post-PNX airway dilatation did not normalize total CSA, and estimated resistance due to turbulence and convective acceleration increased threefold; i.e., the 50% reduction in lobar Raw would be offset by the loss of four of seven lobes. Thus the expected reduction in work of breathing in the whole animal is only ∼30%, consistent with previously measured work of breathing in pneumonectomized dogs. We conclude that airway structure adapts slowly and incompletely, resulting in limited functional compensation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1235-1242
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of applied physiology
Volume93
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2002

Keywords

  • Airway length
  • Airway resistance
  • Computerized tomography
  • Cross-sectional area
  • Dog
  • Lung resection

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Dysanaptic growth of conducting airways after pneumonectomy assessed by CT scan'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this