A stratified model of pulmonary gas exchange

This paper describes a model of pulmonary gas exchange including CO2 and O2 storage and transport in the anatomical dead space, alveoli, capillaries, arterial and mixed venous blood. Model simulations of gas exchange, ventilation and perfusion for an average healthy adult were in general in good agreement with previously reported values. However, the model overestimates the heterogeneity of ventilation/perfusion ratios down the lungs. Results indicate that the model is able to simulate the pulmonary gas exchange in healthy human lungs but that modifications are required to counter the large degree of ventilation/perfusion heterogeneity currently simulated by the model.