Case study in scientific visualization: factors inducing periodic breathing in humans with blunted hypoxic sensitivity

The problem of presenting and gaining deeper understanding of a multidimensional system, a mathematical model Predicting 20-90 s oscillations in breathing, is presented. The authors utilized custom software for interactive analysis of a three-dimensional model, plus Wavefront software to render translucent images of the 3D surfaces. The results show that under conditions of no peripheral chemosensor sensitivity, periodic breathing is predicted to occur with (1) an increase in circulatory transit time between the lungs and brain, (2) the presence of marked steady state hypoventilation, and/or (3) an increase in brain blood flow rate. It is concluded that the peripheral chemosensors (carotid bodies) are not essential for the development of periodic breathing