Combined, medical imaging data and respiratory computer simulations may facilitate novel insight into pulmonary disease phenotypes, including the structure/function relationships within the airways. This integration may ultimately enable improved classification and treatment of asthma. Severe asthma (15% of asthmatics) is particularly challenging to treat, as these patients do not respond well to inhaled therapeutics.
Methods: This study combines medical image data with patient-specific computational models to predict gas distributions and airway mechanics in healthy and asthmatic subjects. We achieve this by integrating segmental volume defect percent (SVDP), measured from hyperpolarized 3He MRI and CT images, to create models of patient-specific gas flow within the conducting airways. Predicted and measured SVDP distributions are achieved when the prescribed resistances are increased systematically.
Results: Because of differences in airway morphology and regional function, airway resistances and flow structures varied between the asthmatic subjects. Specifically, while mean SVDP was similar between the severe asthmatics (4.30±5.22 versus 3.54±5.98%), one subject exhibited abnormal flow structures, high near wall flow gradients, and enhanced conducting airway resistances (17.3E-3versus 1.1E-3 cmH2O-s/mL) in comparison to the other severe asthmatic subject.
Conclusion: By coupling medical imaging data with computer simulations, we provide detailed insight into pathological flow characteristics and airway mechanics in asthmatics, beyond what could be inferred independently.