Elena Cangelosi
Research Mentor(s): Alvaro Rojas-Peña
Mentor Department: Department of Surgery-Transplantation
Authors: Elena Cangelosi, Vatsala Singh, Michael Atie, Temilolaluwa Daramola, Joseph Potkay, Alvaro Rojas-Peña
Session: Session 1 (9:00am – 9:50am)
Presentation Type: Poster 41
Abstract
Introduction: Patients with end-stage lung disease who are ineligible for lung transplantation have limited long-term therapy options, with treatment focusing primarily on symptom management. Supplemental oxygen can alleviate hypoxia, while bronchodilators may help with hypercapnia, though their effectiveness is often limited. In cases of severe respiratory failure, extracorporeal life support (ECLS) may provide temporary assistance. We developed the SPiRE (Small Projects in Rehabilitation Research) lung, a pumpless device enabling gas exchange while promoting patient mobility. The aim of this study is to analyze SPiRE lungs designs (different housing heights and diameters) that efficiently remove CO2. Methods: The SPiRE lung developed and tested is 93 mm in diameter (18 mm bigger than prior designs). In vitro testing was performed using five gallons of bovine blood conditioned to venous physiological parameters at 37°C. The blood was pumped through the SPiRE lung at a constant rated blood flow of 1 L/min with different sweep gas flow rates (1 L/min and 8 L/min). Gas exchange was monitored with exhaust gas samples (CO2 transfer) every 15 minutes. Results: Two SPiRE lungs were tested for their CO2 removal capabilities. Lung 1 demonstrated a CO2 removal rate of 44.5 mL/min with a sweep gas flow of 1 L/min and 312 mL/min at a sweep gas flow of 8 L/min. Pre lung pCO2 = 50 mmHg and post pCO2 -47.5 mmHg at a sweep gas flow of 1 L/min and 45.3 mmHg at a sweep gas flow of 8 L/min. Lung 2 demonstrated a CO2 removal rate of 35.92 mL/min with a sweep gas flow of 1 L/min and 211.33 mL/min at a sweep gas flow of 8 L/min O2. Pre lung pCO2 = 44.6 mmHg and post pCO2 = 44.6 mmHg at a sweep gas flow of 1 L/min an 34.5 mmHg at a sweep gas flow of 8 L/min. Conclusion: The linear increase of CO2 removal in both trials suggest the SPiRE lung can sustain CO2 removal at various O2 sweep gas flows. However, CO2 removal varied significantly between the two trials. Future studies will require additional in vitro and in vivo studies of other lung dimensions to validate the SPiRE lung’s reliability and clinical applicability.
