In which airflow regime does Heliox offer the most substantial reduction in resistance?
Answer
Turbulent Flow in large airways
The therapeutic effect of Heliox is maximized in regimes where airflow resistance is highly dependent on gas density. In the larger, central airways, airflow is typically turbulent. Within this turbulent regime, resistance is directly proportional to the density of the gas. Since Heliox is engineered to be significantly less dense than air, the resistance drops substantially in these large airways, making it easier for the gas to move in and out of the lungs. Conversely, in the small peripheral airways where flow is laminar, resistance is primarily linked to gas viscosity, which is similar between air and helium, meaning Heliox offers little mechanical advantage there.
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