Comparison of magnetometer and inductance plethysmography derived Konno-Mead diagrams during CO2 rebreathing.

Magnetometers measure changes in antero-posterior diameters of the rib cage and abdomen while respiratory inductance plethysmography (RIP) measures changes in chest wall cross-sectional area. We compared Konno-Mead diagrams derived from isovolume calibrated magnetometers and RIP in the DC-mode during room air and CO2 rebreathing in the sitting and supine positions. Chest wall configurations obtained during quiet tidal breathing were similar in both sitting and supine positions. During CO2 stimulated breathing, however, derived chest wall configurations were at times dissimilar. The RIP per cent rib cage contribution to tidal volume was greater than that of magnetometers during room air and CO2 rebreathing in both sitting and supine positions. Changes in end expiratory levels measured by magnetometers and RIP during CO2 rebreathing are in general proportionate to each other; however, the magnetometers usually depicted quantitatively greater decreases in abdominal end expiratory levels during rebreathing. We conclude that the qualitative and quantitative assessment of chest wall configurations and volume displacement vary depending on the method used. RIP by including lateral wall motion may more accurately reflect compartmental displacements, while magnetometers by solely measuring antero-posterior diameter may better reflect changes in abdominal volume and thus diaphragm configuration.