Influence of rapid fluid loading on airway structure and function in healthy humans.
BACKGROUND
The present study examined the influence of rapid intravenous fluid loading (RFL) on airway structure and pulmonary vascular volumes using computed tomography imaging and the subsequent impact on pulmonary function in healthy adults (n = 16).


RESULTS
Total lung capacity (DeltaTLC = -6%), forced vital capacity (DeltaFVC = -14%), and peak expiratory flow (DeltaPEF = -19%) decreased, and residual volume (DeltaRV = +38%) increased post-RFL (P < .05). Airway luminal cross-sectional area (CSA) decreased at the trachea, and at airway generation 3 (P < .05), wall thickness changed minimally with a tendency for increasing in generation five (P = .13). Baseline pulmonary function was positively associated with airway luminal CSA; however, this relationship deteriorated after RFL. Lung tissue volume and pulmonary vascular volumes increased 28% (P < .001) post-RFL, but did not fully account for the decline in TLC.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that RFL results in obstructive/restrictive PF changes that are most likely related to structural changes in smaller airways or changes in extrapulmonary vascular beds.
Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Maile L
ML
Ceridon
Eric M
EM
Snyder
Nicholas A
NA
Strom
Juerg
J
Tschirren
Bruce D
BD
Johnson
D000328:Adult; D001810:Blood Volume / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008168:Lung / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests / Q000379:methods; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013997:Time Factors; D014109:Total Lung Capacity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
D012965:Sodium Chloride