[Influence of sequential breath-holding on the slope of phase III (author's transl)]. 1981

J Bélanger, and Y Cormier

Many factors contribute to the slope of phase III of the single-breath nitrogen test (SB-N2). By its effect of nitrogen concentrations, alveolar oxygen exchange may be responsible for a fraction of this slope. In fact, the slope of phase III is steeper when expiratory time is prolonged. We studied the effect of two sequential breath-holding periods of 20 seconds each with ten healthy young male volunteers, by SB-N2 and a reverse technique (SB-R). We observed a sudden increase (mean 1.27%) in the expired nitrogen concentration after each breath-holding period. Closing volume remained the same in all tests, but the slope of phase IV decreased by 44% in SB-N2A (SB-N2 with breath-holding) and increased by 55% in SB-RA. Expiratory vital capacity was significantly less after breath-holding. These data suggest that gas exchange during expiration is partly responsible for the slope of phase III.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D009584 Nitrogen An element with the atomic symbol N, atomic number 7, and atomic weight [14.00643; 14.00728]. Nitrogen exists as a diatomic gas and makes up about 78% of the earth's atmosphere by volume. It is a constituent of proteins and nucleic acids and found in all living cells.
D010100 Oxygen An element with atomic symbol O, atomic number 8, and atomic weight [15.99903; 15.99977]. It is the most abundant element on earth and essential for respiration. Dioxygen,Oxygen-16,Oxygen 16
D011650 Pulmonary Alveoli Small polyhedral outpouchings along the walls of the alveolar sacs, alveolar ducts and terminal bronchioles through the walls of which gas exchange between alveolar air and pulmonary capillary blood takes place. Alveoli, Pulmonary,Alveolus, Pulmonary,Pulmonary Alveolus
D012119 Respiration The act of breathing with the LUNGS, consisting of INHALATION, or the taking into the lungs of the ambient air, and of EXHALATION, or the expelling of the modified air which contains more CARBON DIOXIDE than the air taken in (Blakiston's Gould Medical Dictionary, 4th ed.). This does not include tissue respiration ( Breathing
D003011 Closing Volume The lung volume at which the dependent lung zones cease to ventilate presumably as a result of airway closure. Closing Volumes,Volume, Closing,Volumes, Closing
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D014797 Vital Capacity The volume of air that is exhaled by a maximal expiration following a maximal inspiration. Forced Vital Capacity,Capacities, Forced Vital,Capacities, Vital,Capacity, Forced Vital,Capacity, Vital,Forced Vital Capacities,Vital Capacities,Vital Capacities, Forced,Vital Capacity, Forced

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