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Biomedical subjects

T Similowski

Publications and source records attributed to T Similowski.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Assessment of diaphragm function using mouth pressure twitches in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.

The relative invasiveness of the balloon catheter technique in measuring twitch transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdit) limits its clinical use. By phrenic stimulation we obtained swings in mouth pressure (Pmt) in six COPD patients (age 50 to 72, FEV1 18 to 48% of predicted) at relaxed FRC (rFRC) and during graded inspiratory efforts (IE; twitch occlusion, TO). At rFRC, Pmt was damped and time lagged relative to the esophageal pressure twitch (Pes(t)), as if pressure had equilibrated through an RC system. Pmt was not correlated with Pdit. Conversely, Pmt and Pes(t) were always well matched during IE [Pmt = 0.971 (SEM +/- 0.028) Pes(t), r > 0.89], possibly in relation to a decrease in upper airway compliance or more uniform pleural pressure swings. Pmt decreased with the level of voluntary diaphragmatic contraction (Pdivol) in proportion to Pdit, reflecting a progressive increase in the level of diaphragm activation. During IE, Pmt was closely related to the voluntary mouth pressure in five subjects but not in the remaining subject, indicating intersubject variability in the level of diaphragmatic recruitment relative to other inspiratory muscles. We submit that measuring Pm during inspiratory efforts upon which bilateral phrenic stimulation is superimposed offers a relatively simple method for the assessment of diaphragm activation, potentially applicable in the clinical field.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Force-frequency relationships of in vivo human and in vitro rat diaphragm using paired stimuli.

Supramaximal stimuli, with time intervals of 100 ms (10 Hz) to 10 ms (100 Hz), were delivered in pairs to the phrenic nerves, bilaterally, in five seated normal subjects, while transdiaphragmatic pressure swings (Pdi,s) were recorded at relaxed end-expiratory lung volume with airways closed. In fresh diaphragms, Pdi,s increased between 10-20 Hz and reached a plateau between 20-30 Hz. Diaphragmatic fatigue decreased Pdi,s at all frequencies. Pdi,s was assumed to be the sum of two successive responses (T1+T2), T1 being constant at any frequency and equal to a single twitch, T2 being obtained by subtraction. We found that T2 amplitude, which was significantly reduced after fatigue, was fully returned to normal after 15 min rest at high, not at low, stimulation frequencies. The ratio of T2 at 10 Hz over 100 Hz (T2(10/100)) thus decreased from 1.33 +/- 0.05 before fatigue to 0.97 +/- 0.12 after fatigue, and to 0.81 +/- 0.06 after 15 min rest. Similar results were obtained in isolated rat diaphragmatic strips stimulated and fatigued in vitro, from which we found a highly linear relationship (r = 0.94, p < 0.001) between the ratio of T2(10/100) and that of tetanic force at 10 Hz over 100 Hz (P10/100). We conclude that phrenic nerve paired twitches provide similar information when obtained from phrenic tetanic stimulation in terms of diaphragmatic contractility, and the decrease in T2(10/100) ratio indicates diaphragm low frequency fatigue.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

[Chronic hiccups].

We report 18 cases of chronic hiccup (defined as lasting for more than 48 hours) in adults. Among the numerous possible causes, reflux esophagitis proved to be by far the most frequent (50% of the cases). However, hiccup often initiated a self-perpetuating vicious circle. This is possibly because hiccup per se can give esophageal dyskinesia, which in turn leads to gastro-esophageal reflux. The treatment was difficult and whenever possible has been directed chiefly towards the cause. However hiccup remained intractable in many cases even after a possible cause had been adequately cured (e.g., successful Nissen procedure in reflux cases). Central nervous system depressants and myorelaxing drugs were not very helpful, except for baclofen (initial response rate = 60%).

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Effect of fatigue on diaphragmatic function at different lung volumes.

The transdiaphragmatic pressure twitches (PdiT) in response to single maximal shocks delivered bilaterally to the phrenic nerves were recorded as a function of lung volume when the diaphragm was fresh and when fatigued. All relationships were linear and negatively sloped (all r greater than 0.85). From these relationships PdiT was found to decrease with fatigue more rapidly and to recover more quickly at high than at low lung volumes. Complete recovery of PdiT at all lung volumes was greater than 1 h. Contraction and relaxation rate constants of PdiT did not change significantly with fatigue. We conclude that fatigue affects diaphragm contractility more at high than at low lung volumes and that changes in diaphragm contractility are best reflected in the measurement of PdiT as a function of lung volume.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Evaluation of human diaphragm contractility using mouth pressure twitches.

Mouth (PmT), esophageal (PesT), and transdiaphragmatic pressure twitches (PdiT) in response to single supramaximal bilateral phrenic nerve shocks were recorded during relaxation between total lung capacity (TLC) and functional residual capacity (FRC) in five normal volunteers. The PmT versus PesT or PmT versus PdiT relationships, which were linearly correlated (all r greater than 0.76), were not affected by diaphragm fatigue and were reproducible on repeated determinations over a period exceeding 1 yr. The PmT versus lung volume relationship was also linear (all r greater than 0.72) and reproducible, and its changes following diaphragm fatigue reliably reflected the changes in diaphragm contractility. We conclude that PmT is a reliable measure of diaphragm pressure-generating capacity in normal individuals and has the potential of providing similar information in patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Contractile properties of the human diaphragm during chronic hyperinflation.

BACKGROUND: In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and hyperinflation of the lungs, dysfunction of the diaphragm may contribute to respiratory decompensation. We evaluated the contractile function of the diaphragm in well-nourished patients with stable COPD, using supramaximal, bilateral phrenic-nerve stimulation, which provides information about the strength and inspiratory action of the diaphragm. METHODS: In eight patients with COPD and five control subjects of similar age, the transdiaphragmatic pressure generated by the twitch response to phrenic-nerve stimulation was recorded at various base-line lung volumes, from functional residual capacity to total lung capacity, and during relaxation and graded voluntary efforts at functional residual capacity (twitch occlusion). RESULTS: At functional residual capacity, the twitch transdiaphragmatic pressure ranged from 10.9 to 26.6 cm of water (1.07 to 2.60 kPa) in the patients and from 19.8 to 37.1 cm of water (1.94 to 3.64 kPa) in the controls, indicating considerable overlap between the two groups. The ratio of esophageal pressure to twitch transdiaphragmatic pressure, an index of the inspiratory action of the diaphragm, was -0.50 +/- 0.05 in the patients, as compared with -0.43 +/- 0.02 in the controls (indicating more efficient inspiratory action in the patients than in the controls). At comparable volumes, the twitch transdiaphragmatic pressure and esophageal-to-transdiaphragmatic pressure ratio were higher in the patients than in normal subjects, indicating that the strength and inspiratory action of the diaphragm in the patients were actually better than in the controls. Twitch occlusion (a measure of the maximal activation of the diaphragm) indicated near-maximal activation in the patients with COPD, and the maximal transdiaphragmatic pressure was 106.9 +/- 13.8 cm of water (10.48 +/- 1.35 kPa). CONCLUSIONS: The functioning of the diaphragms of the patients with stable COPD is as good as in normal subjects at the same lung volume. Compensatory phenomena appear to counterbalance the deleterious effects of hyperinflation on the contractility and inspiratory action of the diaphragm in patients with COPD. Our findings cast doubt on the existence of chronic fatigue of the diaphragm in such patients and therefore on the need for therapeutic interventions aimed at improving diaphragm function.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Two-compartment modelling of respiratory system mechanics at low frequencies: gas redistribution or tissue rheology?

The mechanical properties of the respiratory system are generally inferred from measurements of pressure and flow at the airway opening. Traditionally, these measurements have been related through a single-compartment model of the respiratory system. Recently, however, there has been considerable interest in modelling low-frequency respiratory mechanics in terms of two compartments, since this gives a much improved description of experimental data. In this paper we consider two classes of two-compartment models that are compatible with pressure-flow relationships of air measured at the airway opening. One type of model accounts for regional ventilation inhomogeneity in the lung in terms of two alveolar compartments. The other type of model considers pulmonary ventilation to be homogeneous, while the tissues of the respiratory system are modelled as being viscoelastic. In normal dogs, the appropriate two-compartment model has been shown to be the viscoelastic model. In the case of abnormal physiology, however, one must invoke a model having both viscoelastic tissues and ventilation inhomogeneities. Additional experimental data are required in order to identify such a model, and to quantify these two phenomena.

Airway Resistance↗
PubMed1991

[The control of respiration in pulmonary fibrosis. The effect of O2 and CO2].

We have studied the mode of ventilation and chemosentivity in 10 patients suffering from pulmonary fibrosis. The total lung capacity was on average 63.5 +/- 8% of the predicted. Their static compliance was 0.078 +/- 0.05 l.cm of water. The patients were studied in the prone position breathing ambient air then on hyperoxia. The response to CO2 was assessed according to the rebreathing method of Read. The results of these patients were compared with those of 11 normal subjects. The ventilation at rest was normal, with a shortened respiratory time and a Ti/Ttot ratio which was lowered. The occlusion pressure (P0.1) was very much higher than that in normal subjects. This rise was correlated with an increase in pulmonary elastance and a reduction in vital capacity. The correction of hypoxia was without effect on the respiratory parameters. In relation to normal subjects the ventilatory response to carbon dioxide in fibrotics was decreased whilst the response of the P0.1 was increased expressing central hyperactivity. In conclusion, fibrotic patients have normal ventilation in spite of an increase in inspiratory work. This normal ventilation results from hyperactivity of the respiratory centre, as in the hyperventilation induced by carbon dioxide when at rest.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Effects of SK&F 104353, a leukotriene receptor antagonist, on the bronchial responses to histamine in subjects with asthma: a comparative study with terfenadine.

We compared the effects of pretreatment of 800 micrograms of inhaled Smith Kline & French (SK&F) 104353, a leukotriene receptor antagonist, and 120 mg of oral terfenadine on the bronchial responses to inhaled histamine in 12 subjects with asthma. The study took place on 3 different days and was conducted according to a double-blind, crossover, double-dummy, randomized, and placebo-controlled design. There was no difference in baseline and prechallenge FEV1 after placebo, SK&F 104353, and terfenadine administration. The median ratio of the provocative dose causing a 20% fall in FEV1 from baseline (PD20) with terfenadine over PD20 with placebo was 12.36 (range, 3.2 to 30.3; p less than 0.01) and that of PD20 with SK&F 104353 over PD20 with placebo was 1.51 (range, 0.8 to 5.9; not significant). Analysis of individual results demonstrated a shift toward the right of the dose-response curves to histamine with SK&F 104353 compared to that with placebo in three subjects, whereas the active compound did not exhibit any protective effect against histamine in the remaining nine subjects. We conclude that there is a leukotriene component to the bronchial responses to histamine in some, but not all, subjects. This component remains, however, small and does not appear to be clinically important in the population of subjects with asthma that was studied.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

The respiratory response to CO2 and O2 in patients with coma due to voluntary intoxication with barbiturates and carbamates.

We have investigated the respiratory response to CO2 and to O2 in comatose subjects self intoxicated with barbiturates and carbamates. The chemical drive of 12 such patients with coma was compared with that of comparable normal subjects. The ventilatory response to CO2 was depressed but the P0.1 response was of the same order of magnitude as in normals. O2 had little effect on the ventilatory parameters and occlusion pressure. There was no difference between the two groups of patients, indicating that the respiratory changes observed were more dependent on the intensity of the intoxication than on the nature of the drugs. In addition, mechanical factors seem mainly responsible for the depressed ventilatory response to CO2.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Expiratory flushing of airways: a method to reduce deadspace ventilation.

A jet of fresh gas entering the trachea during the last part of expiration, expiratory flushing of airways (EFA), may during mechanical ventilation bring the fresh gas interface into the trachea to reduce deadspace. EFA, delivered in a variety of modes, was tested in healthy dogs. EFA allowed tidal volume, peak and mean airway pressure to be reduced by about 25%. EFA was administered in the form of pulses with frequencies 2-8 Hz, and as a continuous flow. The mode was of little importance. EFA was found to be efficient and should be clinically tested.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

The transition between apnoea and spontaneous ventilation in patients with coma due to voluntary intoxication with barbiturates and carbamates.

We have investigated the transition from apnoea to spontaneous breathing in five comatose patients self intoxicated with barbiturates and carbamates. All patients were apnoeic on admission, and were studied throughout the course of recovery. The transition between the first respiratory movements and a stable and nearly normal ventilation (stable respiratory activity) ranged from 15 to 105 min, a very short time compared to the duration of the apnoeic state that lasted 6 to 72 h from admission. Minute ventilation and occlusion pressure during the first respiratory movements were 6.3 +/- 2.7 l.min-1 and 1.35 +/- 0.45 kPa, respectively. These values increased by roughly 50 and 100% by the time stable respiratory activity was achieved. The increase in minute ventilation was entirely due to an increased inspiratory flow, in relation to a proportionate increase in occlusion pressure, and without significant changes in the respiratory times or in the effective elastance. We conclude that the transition between apnoea and stable respiratory activity is characterized by its rapidity, by the fact that respiratory times are fixed throughout the recovery process, and by the fact that effective elastance is high.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Evaluation of mechanic characteristics of the respiratory system in artificial ventilation].

Measuring respiratory mechanics is reputed to be difficult and therefore is seldom done in intensive care units although simple techniques are available. Air flow interruption after constant rate inflation enables the total respiratory system resistance (Rrs) to be divided into airway resistance (Raw) and additional resistance (delta R), the latter being associated with the viscosity and elasticity of the respiratory system and with the inhomogeneity of the lung. Thus, in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease this end-inspiratory air flow interruption provides physiopathological data (increase of Rrs to the detriment of Raw and delta R, due to major disparities of time constants in the lung) and therapeutic data (optimum ventilation mode reducing the patient's breathing work during assisted ventilation). Air flow interruption at the end of expiration measures the intrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure which indicates hyperinflation with damaging effects on cardiac performance and respiratory muscle function and constitutes a major factor of weaning failure. Combining the end-inspiratory and end-expiratory techniques enables a realistic and complete pressure-volume curve to be drawn easily. It is therefore possible during mechanical ventilation to evaluate the characteristics of respiratory mechanics very precisely and very simply. This should improve both our understanding of some diseases and our management of ventilated patients.

Humans↗
PubMed1989

Cervical magnetic stimulation: a new painless method for bilateral phrenic nerve stimulation in conscious humans.

Assessing diaphragmatic contractility is a common goal in various situations. This assessment is mainly based on static or dynamic maximal voluntary maneuvers and twitch transdiaphragmatic pressures (Pdi) obtained by stimulation of the phrenic nerves (PS). PS eliminates the central components of diaphragmatic activation, but the available techniques of PS remain subject to some limitations. Transcutaneous PS is painful, and needle PS is potentially dangerous. Time-varying magnetic fields can stimulate nervous structures without pain and without adverse effects. In six subjects, we have studied cervical magnetic stimulation (CMS) as a method of PS. We have compared the stimulated Pdi (Pdistim) with the maximal Pdi obtained during static combined expulsive-Mueller maneuver (Pdimax) and with the Pdi generated during a sniff test (Pdisniff). CMS produced twitch Pdi averaging 33.4 +/- 9.7 cmH2O. Pdistim/Pdimax and Pdistim/Pdisniff were 24 +/- 6 and 41 +/- 14%, respectively. These values are comparable to those obtained in other studies with transcutaneous PS. They were highly reproducible in all the subjects. Electromyographic data provided evidence of bilateral maximal stimulation. CMS is a nonspecific method and may stimulate various nervous structures. However, diaphragmatic contraction was elicited by stimulation of the phrenic trunk, since the phrenicodiaphragmatic latencies (less than 7 ms) were in the range of values reported with direct stimulation of the trunk. Cocontraction of neck muscles, including the sternomastoid, was present, but its influence in the CMS-induced Pdi seems minimal. We conclude that magnetic stimulation is an easy, well-tolerated, reproducible safe, and valuable method to assess phrenic conduction and diaphragmatic twitch response.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1989

Viscoelastic behavior of lung and chest wall in dogs determined by flow interruption.

Pulmonary and chest wall mechanics were studied in six anesthetized paralyzed dogs, by use of the technique of rapid airway occlusion during constant flow inflation. Analysis of the pressure changes after flow interruption allowed us to partition the overall resistance of the lung (Rl) and chest wall (Rw) and total respiratory system (Rrs) into two components, one (Rinit) reflecting in the lung airway resistance (Raw), the other (delta R) reflecting primarily the viscoelastic properties of the pulmonary and chest wall tissues. The effects of varying inspiratory flow and inflation volume were interpreted in terms of frequency dependence of resistance, by using a spring-and-dashpot model previously proposed and substantiated by Bates et al. (Proc. 9th Annu. Conf. IEEE Med. Biol. Soc., 1987, vol. 3, p. 1802-1803). We observed that 1) Raw and Rw,init were nearly equal and small relative to Rl and Rw (both were unaffected by flow); 2) Rrs,init decreased slightly with increasing volume; 3) both delta Rl and delta Rw decreased with increasing flow and increased with increasing lung volume. These changes were manifestations of frequency dependence of delta R, as it is predicted by the model; 4) Rrs, Rl, and Rw followed the same trends as delta R. These results corroborate data previously reported in the literature with the use of different techniques to measure airways and pulmonary tissue resistances and confirm that the use of Rl to assess bronchial reactivity is problematic. The interrupter techniques provides a convenient way to obtain Raw values, as well as analogs of lung and chest wall tissue resistances in intact dogs.

Airway Resistance↗
PubMed1988

[Relationship between hypercapnia and hypoxemia in chronic obstructive respiratory insufficiency].

Hypercapnia is common in chronic respiratory failure (IRCO), and may be further increased in a significant way by oxygen therapy, used for severe hypoxaemia in acute exacerbations. The determinants of PaCO2 are metabolic (hence importance of alkalosis) and ventilatory. In chronic airflow obstruction, CO2 production and ventilation are normal; thus the factor responsible for hypercapnia is essentially the fraction of total ventilation lost in the anatomical and alveolar (VD/VT ratio) dead space, whose effect on PaCO2 is all the more marked on account of the high starting point. From the time of administering pure oxygen hypercapnia is only weakly linked to changes in total ventilation (which, after a few minutes returns to its initial level) and only slightly to the correction of hypoxaemia and desaturation (Haldane effect). On the other hand, the ventilation-perfusion ratios are altered, as evidenced by increased VD/VT ratios. The exact mechanisms are ill understood, but one could consider the worsening venous admixture effect by the reduction of hypoxic vasoconstriction and micro-atelectasis in the poorly ventilated zones, as well as the rise in the anatomical dead space (broncho-dilatation) and alveolar dead space (redistribution of ventilation to poorly perfused zones). In comparison with standard ideas, the genesis of hypercapnia from oxygen therapy depends more on an AIR/BLOOD mis-match, than on the suppression of the hypoxic ventilatory stimulus.

Carbon Dioxide↗