Computational Fluid Dynamics analysis on total airway casts to explore airflow parameters in COPD and healthy

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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by structural changes that impair respiratory function. The quantitative relationships between airway disease and regional flow dynamics require detailed characterization. 3D airway models were reconstructed from complete-lung µCT scans of one non-used donor lung and one explanted lung from a COPD patient. The segmented airways were converted into models for Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis. Inspiratory flow simulations were conducted under the same inlet conditions (0.21 L/s), based on the COPD patient’s final FEV₁ measurement. Pressure, airway resistance, and shear stress were quantified across the bronchial tree. Pressure contours in the donor lung showed a relatively homogeneous distribution (Fig.1a), whereas those in the COPD lung were markedly heterogeneous—especially within the proximal airway generations and at bifurcations (Fig.1b). Quantitatively, the COPD lung demonstrated a 7-fold higher inlet pressure (41 vs. 6 Pa), a 12-fold increase in total airway resistance (354 vs. 30 Pa·s/L), and a 9-fold higher wall shear stress (14 vs. 1.5 Pa) relative to the normal lung (Fig.1c). Results show that even under reduced inspiratory conditions—reflective of lung function decline—the severe airway disease in COPD produces pronounced mechanical stress, providing quantitative insights into flow parameter alterations in severe disease. erj;66/suppl_69/OA1277/F1 F1 F1

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