Objective To observe the asynchrony patterns between left and right lungs in smokers and non-smokers,to assess the role of vibration response imaging(VRI) in the early detection and evaluation of smoking-related lung abnormalities. Methods Data were collected as follows:(1)past history and smoking history were collected;(2)exhaled CO test to confirm smoking status was performed;(3)VRI test was performed and the curve of Breath Energy Unit(BEU)was drawn,which is an energy versus time graph of the breath energy.The asynchrony between left and right lungs was derived from this graph;(4)pulmonary function test was performed.In the end,26 villagers with normal spirometry findings were included in the study.The subjects were divided into an ever-smoking group and a never-smoking group. Results The BEU lung asynchrony was 2.0(3.0) frame in the never-smoking group,and 2.0(3.0) frame too in the ever-smoking group.Rank sum test showed that there was no significant difference(Z=-0.29,P=0.77) between the never-smokers and the ever-smokers in the lung asynchrony.Rank correlation analysis suggested that in the ever-smoking group,smoking index and BEU asynchrony had significant correlation(r=0.61,P=0.03).In the never-smoking group,the coefficient of passive smoking index and lung asynchrony was 0.52(P=0.07).The P value of the coefficient between passive smoking index and lung asynchrony was nearly 0.05,scatter between them could be seen a presence of a certain trend. Conclusion The lung asynchrony in VRI has dose-effect relationship with ever-smokers' smoking level(smoking index).Thus,the lung abnormalities in VRI caused by the exposure to passive smoking is maybe the same as the abnormalities caused by direct smoking.

Citation： HouXiaomeng, CaiBaiqiang. Asynchrony Between Left and Right Lungs in Evaluation of Early Smoking-related Lung Abnormalities. Chinese Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 2014, 13(3): 229-232. doi: 10.7507/1671-6205.2014055 Copy