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Computational fluid dynamic modelling of the effect of ventilation mode and tracheal tube position on air flow in the large airways
Author(s) -
Lumb A. B.,
Burns A. D.,
Figueroa Rosette J. A.,
Gradzik K. B.,
Ingham D. B.,
Pourkashanian M.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
anaesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.839
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1365-2044
pISSN - 0003-2409
DOI - 10.1111/anae.13003
Subject(s) - tracheal tube , tube (container) , medicine , ventilation (architecture) , mechanics , flow (mathematics) , anatomy , anesthesia , intubation , materials science , physics , thermodynamics , composite material
Summary 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.