Site of Airway Obstruction after Rapid Saline Infusion in Healthy Subjects

Abstract
Static and dynamic lung volumes, flow-volume curve in air and after He-O2 were carried out in 5 normal [human] subjects baseline, immediately after rapid infusion of 2 l normal saline, and then 15, 30 and 60 min later. At the end of the infusion, a marked reduction of flow studies and an increase of some other pulmonary function tests were observed in all the subjects. The poor response to He-O2 suggests a predominant increase of small airway resistance after rapid infusion. In the recovery phase, He-O2 tests promptly returned to control values, while an increased CV/VC [closing volume/vital capacity] was detectable until 30 min after the infusion.