American journal of respiratory cell and molecular biology
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Am. J. Respir. Cell Mol. Biol. · Dec 2018
EditorialAlveolar Micromechanics in Bleomycin-induced Lung Injury.
Lung injury results in intratidal alveolar recruitment and derecruitment and alveolar collapse, creating stress concentrators that increase strain and aggravate injury. In this work, we sought to describe alveolar micromechanics during mechanical ventilation in bleomycin-induced lung injury and surfactant replacement therapy. Structure and function were assessed in rats 1 day and 3 days after intratracheal bleomycin instillation and after surfactant replacement therapy. ⋯ However, the simulations also predicted a dramatic increase in alveolar strain with injury that we attribute to alveolar interdependence. These findings suggest that in progressive lung injury, alveolar collapse with increased distension of patent (open) alveoli dominates alveolar micromechanics. PEEP and surfactant substitution reduce alveolar collapse and dynamic strain but increase static strain.