A physiologically based model for denitrogenation kinetics.

Under normal conditions we continuously breathe 78% nitrogen (N) such that the body tissues and fluids are saturated with dissolved N. For normobaric medical gas administration at high concentrations, the N concentration must be less than that in the ambient atmosphere; therefore, nitrogen will begin to be released by the body tissues. There is a need to estimate the time needed for denitrogenation in the planning of surgical procedures. In this paper we will describe the application of a physiologically based pharmacokinetic model to denitrogenation kinetics. The results are compared to the data resulting from experiments in the literature that measured the end tidal N concentration while breathing 100% oxygen in the form of moderately rapid and slow compartment time constants. It is shown that the model is in general agreement with published experimental data. Correlations for denitrogenation as a function of subject weight are provided.