Nitrogen and bolus closing volumes: differences after histamine-induced bronchoconstriction

Abstract

Studies in normal subjects have shown that there is little difference in the size of the closing volume when measured by either the nitrogen methods or a bolus method. In this study we have examined the changes in closing volume following histamine-induced bronchoconstriction. In five normal subjects histamine resulted in a reduction in the vital capacity, an increase in the residual volume, and an increase in the airway resistance. The size of the closing volume measured by a bolus method increased after induced bronchoconstriction (0.52 +/- 0.15 1 to 0.74 +/- 0.17 1). With the nitrogen method the closing volume became smaller (0.51 +/- 0.19 1 to 0.17 +/- 0.17 1). Similar differences between the two methods are demonstrated in patients with asthma. The suggested explanation for these differences lies in the different methods used to establish a concentration gradient of gas in the lung. If there is “air trapping” the nitrogen method may fail to establish a concentration gradient.