title: Effect of helium concentration on experimental upper airway obstruction.
abstract: This study investigates the effect of helium concentration in inspired gas on resistance to breathing during experimental upper airway obstruction. Obstruction was modeled by use of a series of four polyvinyl endotracheal tubes narrowed progressively in their midportions with C clamps. Percentage ratios of helium-oxygen gas mixtures were 0:100, 40:60, 60:40, and 80:20. Gas flow was provided by two methods: 1) nontidal flow from compressed gas tanks from which resistance was calculated from pressure and flow measurements, and 2) tidal respiratory flow from human volunteers from whom respiratory effort was evaluated by using airway pressure measurements integrated over 90-second trial periods. The results derived from both methods demonstrated that the effect of helium in reducing resistance and pressure in an obstructed airway is linear (p less than .016) and inversely proportional to helium concentration. Reductions in resistance and pressure were larger for the tighter obstructions (p less than .007). As helium was added to the gas mixture (from 0% to 80%), resistance and airway pressure measurements dropped 42% and 58%, respectively. The major conclusions are that 1) even low concentrations of helium may have therapeutic value and 2) helium is effective only for more severe obstructions.
authors.affiliation: Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Houck
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Keamy
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: McDonough
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D000403:Airway Resistance / Q000187:drug effects*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006371:Helium / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007320:Inspiratory Capacity / Q000187:drug effects*; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000295:instrumentation; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D008297:Male; D008838:Microcomputers; D008954:Models, Biological; D010100:Oxygen / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects; D013990:Tidal Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D006371:Helium; D010100:Oxygen