Automated measurement of functional residual capacity by sulfur hexafluoride washout.

We have constructed a computerized, totally automated system for measuring functional residual capacity (FRC) during mechanical ventilation, at any positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and fraction of inspired oxygen. This system uses washout of a small amount (0.5 to 1.0%) of an insoluble, nontoxic tracer gas, sulfur hexafluoride, to measure FRC. It requires no modification of the ventilator and only minimal changes in the breathing circuit; it can be programmed to make measurements routinely without manual intervention. The system was evaluated with three tests. The prototype sulfur hexafluoride analyzer characteristic curve was determined, and the analyzer was evaluated to determine carbon dioxide interference. A comparison with nitrogen washout FRC measurements was made in an extensive bench test with a Plexiglas lung model. The bench test was designed to determine the effects of changing gas composition and minute volume. A study was done in six healthy dogs to determine reproducibility of the FRC measurements at four PEEP levels (0, 5, 10, and 15 cm H2O: two repetitions in each animal). The sulfur hexafluoride analyzer was well characterized by an exponential equation with a multiple r2 = 0.996. The analyzer was not affected by the presence of carbon dioxide (paired t test, t19 = 1.23, P greater than 0.10). The bench test indicated that FRC (measured) = 0.969 X FRC (true) - 5.3 ml. (Multiple r2 = 0.979.) This was significantly better than the nitrogen washout system, whose regression equation was also a function of minute volume.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)