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Biomedical subjects

R B Schoene

Publications and source records attributed to R B Schoene.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Recovery of airway protection compared with ventilation in humans after paralysis with curare.

d-Tubocurarine (dTc) was administered intravenously to six healthy unanesthetized volunteers to assess the sensitivity to neuromuscular blockade of those muscles involved in protecting the airway against obstruction and/or aspiration relative to the muscles of inspiration. Each subject was given an intravenous bolus of dTc followed by an infusion to allow three different levels of inspiratory muscle weakness as measured by maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP). Levels of MIP were control (-90 cm H2O), -60, -40, and -20 cm H2O. Vital capacity (VC), hand grip strength (HGS), and end-tidal CO2 (PETCO2) were obtained at each level. At each level of weakness and at intermediate values during recovery, muscles of airway protection were functionally assessed by noting the MIP at which the maneuver could be accomplished and the MIP at which they could not. The mean of these two values was calculated for each subject. The tests were: 1) ability to swallow, 2) ability to perform a valsalva maneuver, 3) prevent obstruction of the airway, and 4) ability to approximate teeth. These were compared with head lift and straight leg raising. At maximum neuromuscular blockade (MIP of -20 cm H2O), VC was 2.0 liters, HGs was 0, and PETCO2 was normal. Muscles of airway protection were still incapacitated. Swallowing returned above MIP of -43 cm H2O, approximation of teeth above -42 cm H2O, airway obstruction above -39 cm H2O, and valsalva above -33 cm H2O. Thus, although ventilation may be adequate at MIP = -25 mmHg, the muscles of airway protection are still nonfunctional.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Ventilatory response to rowing and cycling in elite oarswomen.

Rowing is a unique exercise for humans, and the imposed biomechanical motion may alter both respiratory mechanics and timing. To investigate the ventilatory patterns of competitive rowers while rowing, we studied the pulmonary function of eight members of the University of Washington Women's Crew and one former member of the 1984 Women's Olympic Rowing Team on a rowing ergometer. Ventilatory performance of the oarswomen was compared both with their performance to exhaustion on a cycle ergometer and with the ventilatory response of six untrained controls on a rowing and a cycle ergometer. We found rowing elicited a higher ventilatory response in both the oarswomen and controls in submaximal and maximal work loads (P less than 0.001). Both oarswomen and controls had higher maximal breathing frequencies when rowing compared with cycling [rowers, 54.7 +/- 1.9 vs 49.8 +/- 0.09 (SE) breaths/min, P less than 0.05; and controls, 53.6 +/- 2.5 vs. 49.2 +/- 4.7, P less than 0.05] and lower maximal tidal volumes (rowers, 1.94 +/- 0.12 vs. 2.21 +/- 0.09 liters, P less than 0.01; controls, 1.59 +/- 0.09 vs. 1.68 +/- 0.19, difference not significant). Both oarswomen and controls were more hypocapnic while rowing compared with cycling (rowers, P less than 0.001; controls, P less than 0.02), although oarswomen were less hypocapnic while rowing than nonrowers (P less than 0.03). These results indicate that rowing causes hyperventilation with a higher breathing frequency and lower tidal volume. This alteration of pattern is possibly secondary to a change in mechanics, which possibly arises from the generation of high exercise ventilation in a variable seated position.

Adult↗

Abnormal control of ventilation in high-altitude pulmonary edema.

We wished to determine the role of hypoxic chemosensitivity in high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) by studying persons when ill and upon recovery. We studied seven males with HAPE and seventeen controls at 4,400 m on Mt. McKinley. We measured ventilatory responses to both O2 breathing and progressive poikilocapnic hypoxia. Hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR) was described by the slope relating minute ventilation to percent arterial O2 saturation (delta VE/delta SaO2%). HAPE subjects were quite hypoxemic (SaO2% 59 +/- 6 vs. 85 +/- 1, P less than 0.01) and showed a high-frequency, low-tidal-volume pattern of breathing. O2 decreased ventilation in controls (-20%, P less than 0.01) but not in HAPE subjects. The HAPE group had low HVR values (0.15 +/- 0.07 vs. 0.54 +/- 0.08, P less than 0.01), although six controls had values in the same range. The three HAPE subjects with the lowest HVR values were the most hypoxemic and had a paradoxical increase in ventilation when breathing O2. We conclude that a low HVR plays a permissive rather than causative role in the pathogenesis of HAPE and that the combination of extreme hypoxemia and low HVR may result in hypoxic depression of ventilation.

Adult↗

The lung at high altitude: bronchoalveolar lavage in acute mountain sickness and pulmonary edema.

High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), a severe form of altitude illness that can occur in young healthy individuals, is a noncardiogenic form of edema that is associated with high concentrations of proteins and cells in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid (Schoene et al., J. Am. Med. Assoc. 256: 63-69, 1986). We hypothesized that acute mountain sickness (AMS) in which gas exchange is impaired to a milder degree is a precursor to HAPE. We therefore performed BAL with 0.89% NaCl by fiberoptic bronchoscopy in eight subjects at 4,400 m (barometric pressure = 440 Torr) on Mt. McKinley to evaluate the cellular and biochemical responses of the lung at high altitude. The subjects included one healthy control (arterial O2 saturation = 83%), three climbers with HAPE (mean arterial O2 saturation = 55.0 +/- 5.0%), and four with AMS (arterial O2 saturation = 70.0 +/- 2.4%). Cell counts and differentials were done immediately on the BAL fluid, and the remainder was frozen for protein and biochemical analysis to be performed later. The results of this and of the earlier study mentioned above showed that the total leukocyte count (X10(5)/ml) in BAL fluid was 3.5 +/- 2.0 for HAPE, 0.9 +/- 4.0 for AMS, and 0.7 +/- 0.6 for controls, with predominantly alveolar macrophages in HAPE. The total protein concentration (mg/dl) was 616.0 +/- 3.3 for HAPE, 10.4 +/- 8.3 for AMS, and 12.0 +/- 3.4 for controls, with both large- (immunoglobulin M) and small- (albumin) molecular-weight proteins present in HAPE.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Increased muscle efficiency and sustained benefits in an outpatient community hospital-based pulmonary rehabilitation program.

Previous reports of pulmonary rehabilitation programs have demonstrated improvement in exercise capacity in subjects with disabling pulmonary disease. However, the cost-effectiveness, benefits to outpatients in a community setting, durability of these improvements, and mechanism of improved exercise capacity remain unclear. Forty-four patients with an average FEV1 of 33 +/- 4 percent of predicted completed a six-week long period of supervised treadmill exercise, as well as a continuing home program. Twenty percent had previously unsuspected cardiac disease discovered through the program, while 36 percent had previously unsuspected exercise desaturation. Cardiopulmonary stress testing before and after the program revealed a 73 +/- 16 percent improvement in aerobic capacity (METs peak [power]) and a 250 +/- 78 percent improvement in endurance (MET-min [work]). No significant change was seen in VE max, HR max, FEV1, or the degree of exercise desaturation. Only a small improvement was noted in VO2 max (15 +/- 8 percent) and O2 pulse (16 +/- 8 percent), suggesting that most of the improvement was due to improved muscle efficiency. Follow-up testing at 12 +/- 3 months in 24 subjects revealed that 89 +/- 7 percent of the peak exercise performance was maintained. The cost of the basic program was +800. The results demonstrated that an outpatient community hospital pulmonary rehabilitation program can accomplish substantial exercise capacity improvement with sustained benefits in a cost-effective manner.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗

High-altitude pulmonary edema: pathophysiology and clinical review.

High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) affects young, healthy climbers in an unpredictable fashion. It is potentially fatal, and its underlying pathophysiology is not thoroughly understood. The history and clinical presentation of HAPE, as well as the known underlying pathophysiology, are reviewed. For instance, in HAPE there is an association with blunted respiratory drives to hypoxia and accentuated hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction. Recent data show that HAPE is a high permeability leak of protein into the alveolar space associated with an influx of alveolar macrophages. These data have been obtained recently by fiberoptic bronchoscopy in the field setting of Mt McKinley at 4,400 m. The approach to recognition and treatment that involves primarily descent and/or oxygen is discussed.

Altitude Sickness↗

Control of ventilation in elite synchronized swimmers.

Synchronized swimmers perform strenuous underwater exercise during prolonged breath holds. To investigate the role of the control of ventilation and lung volumes in these athletes, we studied the 10 members of the National Synchronized Swim Team including an olympic gold medalist and 10 age-matched controls. We evaluated static pulmonary function, hypoxic and hypercapnic ventilatory drives, and normoxic and hyperoxic breath holding. Synchronized swimmers had an increased total lung capacity and vital capacity compared with controls (P less than 0.005). The hypoxic ventilatory response (expressed as the hyperbolic shape parameter A) was lower in the synchronized swimmers than controls with a mean value of 29.2 +/- 2.6 (SE) and 65.6 +/- 7.1, respectively (P less than 0.001). The hypercapnic ventilatory response [expressed as S, minute ventilation (1/min)/alveolar CO2 partial pressure (Torr)] was no different between synchronized swimmers and controls. Breath-hold duration during normoxia was greater in the synchronized swimmers, with a mean value of 108.6 +/- 4.8 (SE) vs. 68.03 +/- 8.1 s in the controls (P less than 0.001). No difference was seen in hyperoxic breath-hold times between groups. During breath holding synchronized swimmers demonstrated marked apneic bradycardia expressed as either absolute or heart rate change from basal heart rate as opposed to the controls, in whom heart rate increased during breath holds. Therefore the results show that elite synchronized swimmers have increased lung volumes, blunted hypoxic ventilatory responses, and a marked apneic bradycardia that may provide physiological characteristics that offer a competitive advantage for championship performance.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Evaluation of breathlessness in asbestos workers. Results of exercise testing.

We studied 120 asbestos-exposed workers seeking compensation for asbestos-related ventilatory impairment who were referred to us for evaluation of their complaint of dyspnea. We reviewed history, chest radiographs, pulmonary function studies, and exercise tests. The workers were 59.9 +/- 9.5 (mean +/- SD) yr of age and their first asbestos exposure had been 34.4 +/- 10 yr prior to the study; 63% were smokers, 19% were ex-smokers, and 18% were nonsmokers. Chest radiographs were normal in 4%, showed only pleural disease in 35%, only parenchymal diseases in 5%, and pleuroparenchymal disease in 56%. Restrictive pulmonary function abnormalities were present in 25% of the workers, and obstructive abnormalities were present in 27%. Because the impairment of one of several organ systems (i.e., ventilatory, cardiac, pulmonary vascular, or peripheral circulatory) may limit exercise performance, we designed an exercise test score in an attempt to identify the system causing the limitation. No abnormal limitation was detectable in half (49.2%) of the subjects. Only 26% had a ventilatory limitation, which was much more frequent in smokers (32%) than in nonsmokers (9%) (p less than 0.05). Unexpectedly, rather more (37%) had a cardiac rather than a ventilatory limitation. We conclude that the complaint of dyspnea in these asbestos-exposed workers was usually not caused by a ventilatory dysfunction.

Asbestosis↗

Respiratory stimulants and sleep periodic breathing at high altitude. Almitrine versus acetazolamide.

We studied the effects of almitrine, acetazolamide, and placebo on the hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR), sleep periodic breathing, and arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) in 4 healthy climbers. In a laboratory on Denali (Mt. McKinley) at 4,400 m (PB = 440 mm Hg), we used a double-blind, randomized, three-way crossover design. The HVR was measured during the waking state. Periodic breathing and SAO2% were measured during 3-h sleep studies. Almitrine and acetazolamide both increased SaO2% during sleep, although almitrine increased periodic breathing, whereas acetazolamide decreased periodic breathing. The HVR (delta VE/delta SaO2%) was doubled with almitrine (p less than 0.05), but unchanged with acetazolamide. The HVR was positively related to periodic breathing (p less than 0.05). We conclude that periodic breathing during sleep at high altitude is related to the hypoxic ventilatory response, and that acetazolamide is a superior agent to almitrine for ameliorating periodic breathing.

Acetazolamide↗

Prediction of successful ventilator weaning using airway occlusion pressure and hypercapnic challenge.

We studied eleven patients during 14 attempts at weaning from mechanical ventilation to determine whether central ventilatory drive, measured as airway occlusion pressure 0.1 s after onset of inspiration (P 0.1), during spontaneous breathing before and during a brief hypercapnic challenge, could accurately predict the success or failure of the attempt. All patients were recovering from acute respiratory failure and could breathe spontaneously for 20 minutes on a T-piece but were judged clinically to be marginal weaning candidates. Minute ventilation (VI) and P 0.1 were measured while breathing spontaneously and were repeated during a hypercapnic challenge that raised end-tidal PCO2 approximately 10 mm Hg. Seven of the 14 weaning attempts were unsuccessful, requiring reinstitution of mechanical ventilation. Although the failure group had lower mean maximum inspiratory force and higher spontaneous respiratory rate, no threshold value separated the failure from the success group. Ventilation increased more during hypercapnic challenge in those patients whose weaning attempt was successful, but overlap of results between the two groups rendered this test inaccurate for predicting weaning success. In contrast, successfully weaned patients had greater augmentation of P 0.1 during hypercapnia, expressed as the ratio of P 0.1 during CO2-stimulated to P 0.1 during baseline values, than did those who failed weaning (p less than 0.005). This ratio succeeded, and was thus both specific and sensitive as a predictor of successful weaning from mechanical ventilation in these patients.

Acute Disease↗

Butorphanol improves CO2 response and ventilation after fentanyl anesthesia.

We have determined that the mixed agonist-antagonist narcotic, butorphanol, improves CO2 response and ventilation after fentanyl anesthesia. A tentative dosage range has been established. Twenty-two patients were anesthetized with isoflurane, nitrous oxide, and fentanyl, which was continuously infused throughout the study. Postoperatively three 1-mg doses of butorphanol were administered IV. Blood pressure, heart rate, plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine concentrations, and pain intensity were essentially unchanged after butorphanol. Most of the improvement in breathing occurred after the first 1-mg dose. Mean respiratory rate increased from 7.8 +/- 5.0 to 11.0 +/- 4.8 min-1 (P less than or equal to 0.005), tidal volume increased from 469 +/- 302 to 844 +/- 390 ml (P less than or equal to 0.005), minute ventilation increased from 4.32 +/- 2.97 to 8.51 +/- 3.14 L/min (P less than or equal to 0.005), and the slope of the ventilatory response to CO2 increased from 0.36 +/- 0.37 to 0.90 +/- 0.80 L X min-1 X mm Hg-1 (P less than or equal to 0.05). Resting PaCO2 decreased from a baseline of 57.8 +/- 11.1 to 51.7 +/- 5.12 mm Hg (P less than or equal to 0.05) after the third dose.

Anesthesia Recovery Period↗

High-altitude pulmonary edema. Characteristics of lung lavage fluid.

To evaluate the cellular and biochemical composition of bronchoalveolar fluid in high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), we performed bronchoalveolar lavage in three climbers with HAPE in a research facility at 4400 m on Mount McKinley. Three healthy climbers were used as controls. The HAPE fluids contained marked increases in high-molecular-weight proteins, erythrocytes, and leukocytes, most of which were alveolar macrophages. The HAPE fluids also contained detectable amounts of leukotriene B4 and other lipoxygenase products of arachidonic acid metabolism, complement fragments (C5a), inhibitors of neutrophil chemotaxis, and acid proteases but not hydroxyproline, a constituent of collagen. The data from this study indicate that HAPE involves a transient "large pore" leak in the pulmonary circulation. Despite the presence of two potent mediators of inflammation, leukotriene B4 and C5a, HAPE is not characterized by the intense neutrophil accumulation that is typical of other forms of acute lung injury.

Adult↗

Influence of body size and gender on control of ventilation.

Hypoxic (HVR) and hypercapnic (HCVR) ventilatory responses are influenced by both metabolic activity and hormonal factors. By studying 67 subjects of both sexes, including those at the extremes of stature, we examined the influence of gender, CO2 production (VCO2), O2 consumption (VO2), body surface area (BSA), and vital capacity (VC) on resting ventilation (VE), HVR, and HCVR. We measured resting VE, VO2, and VCO2 and then performed isocapnic progressive hypoxic and hypercapnic ventilatory responses. The effect of stature was reflected in higher VE and metabolic rate (both P less than 0.001) in tall men compared with short men that was ablated by correction for BSA. Perhaps because their heights vary less than those of the men, tall women were not statistically distinguishable from short women in any of these measured parameters. Tall men tended to have greater hypoxic chemosensitivity than short men but this was not significantly different (P = 0.07). Gender affected the control of ventilation in a number of ways. Men had higher VE (P less than 0.05) and metabolic rate (P less than 0.001) than women. Even after correction for BSA men still had higher metabolic rates. Women had higher VE/VCO2 than men (P less than 0.05) and lower resting end-tidal Pco2 (PETCO2) values (P less than 0.05). Both A, the shape parameter of the hyperbolic HVR curve, and HVR determined from mouth occlusion pressure (AP) were greater in women than in men, although only AP reached statistical significance. However, corrections of A for BSA (P less than 0.05), VCO2 (P less than 0.01), and VC (P less than 0.001) amplified these differences.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Nocturnal periodic breathing at altitudes of 6,300 and 8,050 m.

Nocturnal periodic breathing was studied in eight well-acclimatized subjects living at an altitude of 6,300 m [barometric pressure (PB) 350-352 Torr] for 3-5 wk and in four subjects during one night at 8,050 m altitude (PB 281-285 Torr). The measurements at 6,300 m included tidal volume by inductance plethysmography, arterial O2 saturation by ear oximetry (calibrated by arterial blood samples), electrocardiogram (ECG), and electrooculogram. At 8,050 m, periodic breathing was inferred from the cyclical variation in heart rate obtained from a night-long ECG record. All subjects at 6,300 m altitude showed well-marked periodic breathing with apneic periods. Cycle length averaged 20.5 s with 7.9 s apnea. Minimal arterial O2 saturation averaged 63.4% corresponding to a PO2 of approximately 33 Torr, i.e., approximately 6 Torr lower than the normal value at rest during daytime. This was probably the most severe hypoxemia of the 24-h period. At 8,050 m altitude, the cycle length averaged 15.4 s, much longer than predicted by a theoretical model. Cyclical variations in heart rate caused by periodic breathing occurred in all subjects, but abnormal cardiac rhythms such as ventricular premature contractions were uncommon. The severe arterial hypoxemia caused by periodic breathing may be an important determinant of tolerance to these great altitudes.

Adult↗

Hypnosis effect on carbon dioxide chemosensitivity.

Hypnosis is an induced state of heightened suggestibility during which certain physiologic variables can be altered. To investigate if carbon dioxide (CO2) chemosensitivity could be blunted during this suggestible state, we measured hypercapnic ventilatory response (HCVR, delta VE/delta PaCO2), oxygen consumption (VO2), breathing pattern (VT and f), inspiratory flow rate (VT/Ti), and inspiratory timing (Ti/Ttot) in 20 healthy subjects. Mouth occlusion pressures (P0.1) were measured in the last nine subjects. Resting oxygen consumption and minute ventilation were measured during awake and hypnotic control states. The HCVR was measured spontaneously and with the suggestion to maintain normal ventilation during both awake and hypnotic conditions. It was found that without a change in metabolism, ventilatory responses to CO2 could be blunted both voluntarily, and to a greater degree, with hypnotic suggestion. These findings may have important implications in clinical settings in which patients suffer from marked dyspnea secondary to increased ventilatory chemosensitivity.

Adult↗

Hemodilution of polycythemic mountaineers: effects on exercise and mental function.

We studied the effects of acute, isovolemic hemodilution on the exercise ability and mental function of four polycythemic mountain climbers (mean hematocrit 58 +/- 1.25%) during the American Medical Research Expedition to Mt. Everest (AMREE). The subjects were studied at 5400 m (PB = 400 mm Hg). Approximately 15% of their blood volume was removed and replaced with an equal volume of 5% human albumin solution. Final hematocrits were 50.5 +/- 1.5%. Before and after hemodilution, the subjects performed psychological and exercise tests. Maximum work level, oxygen uptake, minute ventilation, and blood oxygen saturation did not change. After hemodilution, heart rate increased slightly at all work levels, and there was a small but significant improvement on the psychological tests. It is concluded that this degree of hemodilution was well tolerated and that a hematocrit of greater than 50% conferred no advantage for exercise and may have impaired cerebral function. Although, in these circumstances, isovolemic hemodilution improved cerebration, we feel that this potentially hazardous maneuver is rarely indicated.

Adult↗

Testosterone replacement in hypogonadal men: effects on obstructive sleep apnoea, respiratory drives, and sleep.

The obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome occurs predominantly in men. To determine the effect of testosterone on ventilatory function and whether testosterone may play a role in the development of obstructive apnoea, we performed waking ventilatory drive studies and sleep studies in five hypogonadal men. These androgen-deficient subjects were studied both while receiving no treatment and after six weeks of testosterone replacement therapy (testosterone oenanthate 200 mg i.m. every 2 weeks). Hypoxic ventilatory drive decreased significantly, from 158 +/- 39 (mean +/- SEM) off testosterone to 88 +/- 19 on testosterone therapy (P less than 0.05). Hypercapnoeic ventilatory drive did not change significantly on testosterone. Obstructive sleep apnoea developed in one man and markedly worsened in another man in association with testosterone administration. Both of these subjects also exhibited marked decreases in oxygen saturation with the development of cardiac dysrhythmias during sleep and large increases in haematocrit. The remaining three hypogonadal men did not demonstrate significant sleep apnoea either on or off testosterone. The percentage of sleep time spent in REM sleep increased from 14 +/- 3% to 22 +/- 2% when the men were receiving testosterone (P less than 0.01), but the episodes of sleep apnoea tended to occur during non-REM sleep. We conclude that in some hypogonadal men, replacement dosages of testosterone may affect ventilatory drives and induce or worsen obstructive sleep apnoea. The obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome is a potential complication of testosterone therapy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Pulmonary function in subjects at the extremes of stature.

Normal indexes of pulmonary function are based on data from large numbers of persons, using sex, size, and age as independent determinants. The influence of aging has been well examined, but few subjects at the extremes of stature have been included in previous studies. The predicted normal values are extrapolated from data acquired in studies of persons of average height. To evaluate these predictions at the extremes of stature, we performed full pulmonary function testing in 49 healthy, nonsmoking Caucasian subjects (28 men, 21 women) who were either above the 99th or below the 5th percentile for height. Nineteen subjects of average height (9 men, 10 women) performed spirometric testing. The techniques and equipment used met the American Thoracic Society's recommendations. We demonstrated that predicted values of pulmonary function testing can be extended to include those persons at the extremes of stature.

Adult↗