Hyperoxia and hypergravity are independent risk factors of atelectasis in healthy sitting humans: a pulmonary ultrasound and SPECT/CT study

This paper reports the first-time use of pulmonary ultrasound and single-photon emission computed tomography combined with computed tomography (SPECT/CT) to study the influence of hyperoxia and sustained moderate hypergravity on lung tissue compression, and on ventilation and perfusion. Together with electrical impedance tomography measurements (reported separately), a functional and topographical imaging of lung function before, during, and after exposure to hyperoxia and hypergravity is obtained: zones with decreased ventilation are present above atelectatic areas and are prone to transient airway closure.