2011A13 Describe the determinants of work of breathing in an adult human at rest.

 

List:

·       Intro

·       Graph

·       Elastic forces

·       Inelastic forces

·       Frequency dependence

 

Intro:

Definition

·  Amount of energy spent on breathing

·  Unit joules

·  = Force x displacement

·   = Pressure work x volume work

Normal value

·  <2% total VO2 = 3mL/min

Efficiency

·  Only 10% (90% -> heat)

Components

·  Inspiration: primary active

o Diaphragm, external intercostals etc

·  Expiration: secondary active at rest (use stored energy), primary active under stress

o Abdominal wall, internal intercostals etc

 

Graph:

Inspiration

1: elastic = stored

2: inelastic

Expiration

1: available

3: used

*Bronchoconstriction -> ↑size of area 3 (and 2)

 

Elastic (50%)

Surface tension

(35%)

·  LaPlace’s law: pressure = 2 x surface tension / radius

o Fluid surfaces acquire least surface area due to surface tension

o Alveoli tend to collapse

·  Surfactant:

o Produced by type 2 alveolar cells

o Reduces surface tension at air-water interface

o Becomes more concentrated (= more effective) at low alveolar volume

o ->↓ alveolar collapse, ↑compliance, ↓ work of breathing, ↓ transudation

·  Factors increasing surface tension:

o Alveolar oedema -> surfactant dilution

o Surfactant deficiency (e.g. prematurity, SP-B or SP-C deficiency)

Elastic lung tissue

(15%)

·  Elastic lung fibres e.g. elastin

o e.g. fibrosis -> ↓ elasticity -> ↑WOB

 

Inelastic (50%):

Resistance to airflow

(major)

Flow type:

·  Large airways: turbulent flow – (P1-P2) ∝ (density x length) / radius5

·  Small airways: laminar flow – R = (8 x length x viscosity) / (π x radius4)

·  Medium size: transitional flow

Variables: factors ↑resistance

·  ↓Airway radius:
*Most important factor since raised to power of 4 or 5*

o ↓Absolute lung size (e.g. neonate cf. adult)

o ↓Relative lung volume (e.g. diaphragm displacement in pregnancy)

o Intraluminal obstruction (e.g. mucus)

o Luminal obstruction (bronchoconstriction, swelling)

o Extraluminal obstruction (e.g. dynamic airways compression)

·  ↑Density: e.g. reduced with heliox

·  ↑Viscosity: e.g. ↑ with ↑temp

·  ↑Length: not under control

Inelastic lung tissue

(minor)

·  Deformation of inelastic tissue e.g. collagen

·  Also friction of lung vs pleura, diaphragm vs abdominal viscera

Inertia of air

(minimal)

·  Force = mass x acceleration

 

Frequency-dependence:

 

 

Neonate

Adult with asthma

Elastic resistance

↑↑↑

↓

Airflow resistance

↑

↑↑↑

Optimal respiratory rate

High

Low

 

 

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