title: Computational fluid dynamic modelling of the effect of ventilation mode and tracheal tube position on air flow in the large airways.
abstract: We have used computational fluid dynamic modelling to study the effects of tracheal tube size and position on regional gas flow in the large airways. Using a three-dimensional mathematical model, we simulated flow with and without a tracheal tube, replicating both physiological and artificial breathing. Ventilation through a tracheal tube increased proportional flow to the left lung from 39.5% with no tube to 43.1-47.2%, depending on tube position. Ventilation mode and tube distance from the carina had no effect on flow. Lateral displacement and deflection of the tube increased ventilation to the ipsilateral lung; for example, when deflected 10° to the left of centre, flow to the left lung increased from 43.8 to 53.7%. Because of the small diameter of a tracheal tube relative to the trachea, gas exits a tube at high velocity such that regional ventilation may be affected by changes in the position and angle of the tube.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Lumb
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Burns
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Figueroa Rosette
authors.forename: K B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Gradzik
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Ingham
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pourkashanian
mesh_terms: D058109:Airway Management / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D003196:Computer Graphics; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D008168:Lung / Q000502:physiology; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D015233:Models, Statistical; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D014132:Trachea