Sequential V̇A/Q̇ distributions in the normal rabbit by micropore membrane inlet mass spectrometry

We developed micropore membrane inlet mass spectrometer (MMIMS) probes to rapidly measure inert-gas partial pressures in small blood samples. The mass spectrometer output was linearly related to inert-gas partial pressure (r² of 0.996-1.000) and was nearly independent of large variations in inert-gas solubility in liquid samples. We infused six inert gases into five pentobarbital-anesthetized New Zealand rabbits and used the MMIMS system to measure inert-gas partial pressures in systemic and pulmonary arterial blood and in mixed expired gas samples. The retention and excretion data were transformed into distributions of ventilation to-perfusion ratios (V̇(A)/Q̇) with the use of linear regression techniques. Distributions of V̇(A)/Q̇ were unimodal and broad, consistent with prior reports in the normal rabbit. Total blood sample volume for each V̇(A)/Q̇ distribution was 4 ml, and analysis time was 8 min. MMIMS provides a convenient method to perform the multiple inert-gas elimination technique rapidly and with small blood sample volumes.