Pulmonary air distribution during abdominal and chest breathing

Abstract

Wider knowledge of air distribution within the lungs during breathing would lead to a better understanding of respiratory mechanics and could both; enhance the therapy of patients with lung diseases and increase oxygenation. Electrical impedance tomography (EIT), a motion capture system and a spirometer were used to investigate differences in pulmonary air distribution during abdominal and chest breathing in 11 sitting subjects. The subjects inhaled comparable tidal volumes while EIT was used to analyse air distribution in two layers on the upper body during abdominal and chest breathing.

The lower part of the lung was stronger ventilated during abdominal breathing, while the entire lung was ventilated more homogeneously during chest breathing. It is possible to influence the distribution of air within the lungs, and thus controlled ventilation of the lungs could improve the oxygen supply of patients and might increase the success of lung therapies through the targeted delivery of medication and controlled ventilation of damaged lung areas.