RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Lobar airway resistance and tissue stiffness in hypercapnic COPD patients eligible for NIV treatment JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP 1431 VO 38 IS Suppl 55 A1 Vos Wim A1 Lieve De Backer A1 Cedric Van Holsbeke A1 Jan De Backer A1 Denise Daems A1 Wilfried De Backer YR 2011 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/1431.abstract AB Introduction: The internal airflow redistribution under non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is dependent on lobar airway resistance (Raw) and tissue stiffness (S). This study aims to calculate lobar R and S using functional imaging (FI) updated with computational fluid dynamics (CFD).Methods: 20 persistent hypercapnic COPD GOLD III patients, eligible for NIV treatment, undergo a low dose CT scan at FRC and TLC. From these scans airway tree and lobar expansion (=internal flow distribution) are obtained. Also a simultaneous respiratory flow and esophageal pressure (peso) measurement is performed. CFD calculations using the 3D model, measured flow rates and internal distribution, provide lobar Raw and pressure. The difference in lobar pressure and peso, together with lobar inflow, provide lobar S.Results: Results show that the lobar Raw profile has a similar shape as the flow profile. The lobar S profile is constant during expiration. During inspiration lobar S does increase exponentially near the end of the inspiration. Furthermore it can be seen that both Raw and S do vary significantly between the different lobes.Conclusions: Lobar Raw and S can be obtained through FI updated with CFD, by taking a CT scan and a simultaneous flow and peso measurement. Information on these lobar properties can be used to predict the outcome non-invasive ventilation.