The effects of blood velocity on gas transport within the alveolar region of lungs, and on the lung diffusing capacity have for many years been regarded as negligible. The present work reports on a preliminary, two-dimensional investigation of CO convection-diffusion phenomenon within a pulmonary capillary. Numerical simulations were performed using realistic clinical and morphological parameter values, with discrete circular red blood cells (RBCs) moving with plasma in a single capillary. Steady-state simulations with stationary blood (RBCs and plasma) were performed to validate the model by comparison with published data. Results for RBCs moving at speeds varying from to , and for capillary hematocrit (Ht) from 5% to 55%, revealed an increase of up to 60% in as compared to the stationary blood case. The increase in is more pronounced at low Ht (less than 25%) and high RBC speed and it seems to be caused primarily by the presence of plasma. The results also indicate that capillary blood convection affects not only by improving the plasma mixing in the capillary bed but also by replenishing the capillary with fresh (zero concentration) plasma, providing an additional reservoir for the consumption of CO. Our findings cast doubt on the current belief that an increase in the lung diffusing capacity of humans (for instance, during exercising), with fixed hematocrit, can only be accomplished by an increase in the lung volume effectively active in the respiration process.
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June 2005
Technical Papers
Effect of Blood Flow on Gas Transport in a Pulmonary Capillary
Ali A. Merrikh,
Ali A. Merrikh
Laboratory for Porous Materials Applications, Mechanical Engineering Department,
Southern Methodist University
, Dallas, TX 75275-0337
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José L. Lage
José L. Lage
Laboratory for Porous Materials Applications, Mechanical Engineering Department,
Southern Methodist University
, Dallas, TX 75275-0337
Search for other works by this author on:
Ali A. Merrikh
Laboratory for Porous Materials Applications, Mechanical Engineering Department,
Southern Methodist University
, Dallas, TX 75275-0337
José L. Lage
Laboratory for Porous Materials Applications, Mechanical Engineering Department,
Southern Methodist University
, Dallas, TX 75275-0337J Biomech Eng. Jun 2005, 127(3): 432-439 (8 pages)
Published Online: October 22, 2004
Article history
Received:
February 2, 2004
Revised:
October 22, 2004
Citation
Merrikh, A. A., and Lage, J. L. (October 22, 2004). "Effect of Blood Flow on Gas Transport in a Pulmonary Capillary." ASME. J Biomech Eng. June 2005; 127(3): 432–439. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.1894322
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