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Cardiovascular surgery patients' respiratory responses to morphine before extubation.

Analgesia is commonly withheld from cardiovascular surgery patients who are soon to be withdrawn from mechanical ventilation to prevent respiratory depression that can postpone extubation. The effects of analgesia on respiration have not been studied adequately. In this study, weaning parameter measurements were obtained to determine the respiratory impact of a low dose of intravenous morphine administered to cardiovascular surgery patients who were ready to be weaned from the ventilator. A pretest-posttest, quasi-experimental, repeated measures design was used. Eleven alert patients who experienced postoperative pain and met two of five weaning parameter criteria received 1 mg to 5 mg of morphine. Weaning parameters were measured before the intervention and at 15 and 30 minutes afterward. As hypothesized, the administration of low-dose morphine did not have a negative effect on weaning parameters. Mean weaning parameter values either increased or remained the same after the administration of morphine. Despite the small sample size, the results of dependent t tests revealed statistically significant improvements, using an alpha level of 0.05, in the mean tidal volume and negative inspiratory force values at the 30-minute measurement, and in the vital capacity value at the 15-minute measurement. The findings from this study help to refute the notion that a low dose of intravenous morphine will cause respiratory depression, and further suggest that the administration of morphine may enhance patients' respiratory function. If additional research supports this study's findings, both the goals of weaning postoperative patients from the ventilator and controlling pain may be achieved simultaneously.

Aged↗

Restrictive pulmonary dysfunction caused by the grafted chest and abdominal burn.

We report on the effect of the excised and grafted chest and abdominal burn on lung function. Six consecutive patients with 3 degree burns to the entire chest and abdomen (72 +/- 10% total body surface area 3 degree burns) were studied. A severe restrictive lung dysfunction due to the noncompliant nature of the excised and grafted chest and abdominal wound was identified; this was most evident when inspiratory pressure (IP) was even modestly impaired with general anesthetics. Measured vital capacity (VC) was 12 to 14 ml/kg at 6 to 8 wk postburn, in the absence of any significant parenchymal injury. The measured VC was identical to the tidal volume (VT) used during the extended period of mechanical ventilatory support. Dynamic compliance (or characteristic) (Cdyn) decreased dramatically from 35 +/- 8 to 15 +/- 9 ml/cm H2O when the positive pressure VT was increased by as little as 100 ml above prior VT settings, indicating the noncompliant nature of the combined chest and abdominal excised and grafted burn. Major cardiopulmonary complications developed in the first two patients after onset of the restrictive process when general anesthesia was used for grafting procedures (n = 8) and the limits of chest wall excursion were unrecognized. Patients received only continuous positive airway pressure preoperatively. A modest but significant decrease in IP from -45 +/- 8 to -33 +/- 5 cm H2O and 30% decrease in spontaneous VT were noted in the early postoperative period. These changes, however, resulted in a dramatic decrease in pulmonary function leading to hypercarbia, PCO2 greater than 50 torr.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Abdominal Injuries↗

Pulmonary stretch receptor discharge patterns in eupnea, hypercapnia, and hypoxia.

The discharge properties of pulmonary stretch receptors (PSR) were studied in spontaneously breathing, pentobarbital sodium-anesthetized cats. During eupneic breathing, 105 of 116 PSR (both tonically and phasically active) were recruited in the first third of inspiration; none were recruited in the last third. Linear equations adequately expressed the relation between instantaneous discharge frequency and inspired volume in eupnea. During CO2 rebreathing, both tidal volume and peak PSR discharge frequency were inversely related to inspiratory duration. At fixed volumes less than 40 ml above functional residual capacity, instantaneous PSR discharge frequency either did not change or decreased with increases in flow. Above 40 ml, increases in discharge frequency accompanied increases in flow (0.033 spikes/s per ml/s). During progressive hypocapnic hypoxia, discharge frequency increased, on average, at all volumes with increases in flow (0.206 spikes/s per ml/s). During both conditions, as with eupnea, increases in frequency were linearly related to increments in tidal volume. Therefore, tidal volume alone can be used to estimate PSR feedback to the respiratory centers, provided that its instantaneous value is appropriately scaled to account for the different effects of CO2 and hypocapnic hypoxia on PSR discharge.

Animals↗

Effects of volume history and time dependence of flow-volume curves on assessment of bronchial response to inhaled methacholine in normals.

The behavior of maximum expiratory flow-volume curves and partial expiratory flow-volume curves with and without volume history of total lung capacity was studied in 11 healthy subjects before and after methacholine inhalation challenge. Flow-volume curves were superimposed at absolute lung volumes by measuring thoracic gas volumes at which inspiratory maneuvers began. The results show that maximum inspiratory effort reduced significantly residual volume, either before or after challenge, while flow rates at 40% of control total lung capacity achieved with partial expiratory flow-volume curves with history of total lung capacity were significantly greater than those without history of maximal inflation. These findings are explained by the stress relaxation as an effect of volume history ot total lung capacity and by the appearance of time dependence as an index of inhomogeneity of lung emptying. After methacholine the effects of volume history on maximum flows and residual volume were increased. In conclusion, the results of this study emphasize the probability of errors when only maximum expiratory flow-volume curve are used in assessment of bronchial responses.

Adult↗

Mechanical and morphometrical changes in progressive bilateral pneumothorax and pleural effusion in normal rats.

Respiratory changes resulting from stepwise intrathoracic injections of 4 ml of either room air or warm (37 degrees C) Haemaccel, simulating pneumothorax and pleural effusion, respectively, were evaluated in anaesthetized, paralysed, and mechanically-ventilated rats. Respiratory system, lung, and chest wall resistances and elastances (static and dynamic) were determined in 14 animals. For this purpose, the end-inflation occlusion during constant inspiratory flow method was used. Chest wall configuration at both functional residual capacity (FRC) and end-inspiration tidal volume (i.e. FRC+(VT)) was also evaluated in: 1) 15 rats by measurements of lateral and anteroposterior diameters, and circumferences at the 3rd intercostal space and xiphoid levels; and 2) in 16 rats by measurements of thoracic cephalocaudal diameter. In addition, changes in functional residual capacity were measured. Both in pneumothorax and pleural effusion, resistances were not altered, but static and dynamic respiratory system and lung elastances increased progressively. Morphometric changes were similar at both functional residual capacity and end-inspiration; however, whereas pleural effusion increased all diameters, pneumothorax did not modify lateral diameter. Functional residual capacity was decreased in both conditions. In conclusion, pneumothorax and pleural effusion induced similar mechanical changes, but thoracic configuration was differently affected, since lateral diameters were increased in pleural effusion only.

Animals↗

Dyspnea as the predominant manifestation of bilateral phrenic neuropathy.

Phrenic neuropathy associated with brachial neuritis has been well described; however, bilateral phrenic neuropathy with minimal or no involvement of the brachial plexus has not. We review the clinical features, as well as the results of radiographic studies, pulmonary function tests, and electrodiagnostic studies, of 3 patients in whom dyspnea was the presenting manifestation of bilateral phrenic neuropathy. All 3 patients had acute-onset dyspnea, which led to consideration of a pulmonary or cardiac etiology. Phrenic nerve conduction studies showed bilateral axonal degeneration of the phrenic nerves. Diaphragmatic paralysis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute-onset dyspnea. Dyspnea increases typically when the patient lies down, and paradoxical respiration may be present. Neck, shoulder, or upper limb pain may occur at onset. Inspiratory pressures may be reduced, but a comparison of the forced vital capacity when the patient is standing and supine is more specific for diaphragmatic weakness. Phrenic nerve conduction studies and diaphragmatic electromyography may provide evidence of bilateral involvement. Subclinical evidence of brachial plexus involvement may be present. The prognosis for patients with bilateral phrenic neuropathy may be more favorable than reported previously.

Brachial Plexus Neuritis↗

[Therapeutic effect of Shengmai injection on respiratory function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the therapeutic effect of Shengmai injection (SMI) on respiratory function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: Twenty patients with COPD were continuously treated with SMI by intravenous drip in 14 days and examined the lung vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced vital capacity of the first second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC, maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV), maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), load respiratory time (LT), 6 minute walk distance (6 MWD), arterial blood gas analysis, and Brog dyspnea scale before and after treatment respectively and compared with itself or control group. RESULTS: After treatment all parameters of the treatment group were better than those of control group or itself before treatment except for FVC and FEV1/FVC. There were significant difference (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: SMI can improve respiratory function in COPD. So it is an effective rehabilitative measure in treating COPD.

Aged↗

[Respiratory sleep disorders in patients with congestive heart failure].

AIM: To examine respiration in sleeping patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Night cardiorespiratory monitoring was made in 30 CHF patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), arterial hypertension and dilated cardiomyopathy. The control group consisted of 16 patients with obstructive sleep apnea and hypopnea (OSAH) free of CHF. RESULTS: Respiratory sleep disorders were registered in all the examinees. Moderate and severe OSAH occurred more often. CHF patients vs controls had shorter inhalation, expiration, overall duration of the respiratory cycle, higher rate of the respiratory movements. With aggravation of the respiratory disorders in sleeping CHF patients, minute ventilation, respiratory volume and mean inspiratory flow arose. In severe OSAH there was low functional residual lung capacity and high intraalveolar volume in end expiration positive pressure. The above changes may cause fatigue and weakness of the respiratory muscles and alter intracardiac hemodynamics. CONCLUSION: For CHF patients it is recommended to perform CPAP-therapy in sleep.

Adult↗

Effect of lung volume reduction surgery on diaphragm strength.

Since lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) reduces end-expiratory lung volume, we hypothesized that it may improve diaphragm strength. We evaluated 37 patients for pulmonary rehabilitation and LVRS. Before and 8 wk after pulmonary rehabilitation, 24 patients had spirometry, lung volumes, diffusion capacity, incremental symptom limited maximum exercise test, 6-min walk test, maximal static inspiratory and expiratory mouth pressures, and transdiaphragmatic pressures during maximum static inspiratory efforts and bilateral supramaximal electrophrenic twitch stimulation measured. Twenty patients (including 7 patients who crossed over after completing pulmonary rehabilitation) had baseline measurements postrehabilitation, and 3 mo post-LVRS. Patients were 58 +/- 8 yr of age, with severe COPD and hyperinflation (FEV1, 0.69 +/- 0.21 L; RV, 4.7 +/- 1.4 L). Nineteen patients had bilateral LVRS performed via median sternotomy and stapling, and 1 patient had unilateral LVRS via thorascopy with stapling. After rehabilitation, spirometry and DL(CO)/VA were not different, and lung volumes showed a slight worsening in hyperinflation. Gas exchange, 6-min walk distance, maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max), and breathing pattern during maximum exercise did not change after rehabilitation, but total exercise time was significantly longer. Inspiratory muscle strength (PImax, Pdi(max combined), Pdi(max sniff), Pdi(max), Pdi(twitch)), was unchanged after rehabilitation. In contrast, after LVRS, FVC increased 21%, FEV1 increased 34%, TLC decreased 13%, FRC decreased 23%, and FRC(trapped gas) and RV decreased by 57 and 28%, respectively. PCO2 was lower (44 +/- 6 versus 48 +/- 6 mm Hg, p < 0.003) and 6-min walk distance increased (343 +/- 79 versus 250 +/- 89 m, p < 0.001), as did total exercise time during maximum exercise (9.2 +/- 1.9 versus 6.9 +/- 2.7 min, p < 0.01). Minute ventilation (29 +/- 8 versus 21 +/- 6 L/min, p < 0.001) and tidal volume (1.0 +/- 0.33 versus 0.84 +/- 0.25 L, p < 0.001) during maximum exercise increased whereas respiratory rate was lower (28 +/- 6 versus 32 +/- 7 breaths/min, p < 0.02). Measurements of respiratory muscle strength (PImax, 74 +/- 28 versus 50 +/- 18 cm H2O, p < 0.002; Pdi(max combined), 80 +/- 25 versus 56 +/- 29 cm H2O, p < 0.01; Pdi(max sniff), 71 +/- 7 versus 46 +/- 27 cm H2O, p < 0.01; Pdi(twitch), 15 +/- 5 versus 7 +/- 5 cm H2O, p < 0.01) were all greater post-LVRS. Inspiratory muscle workload as measured by Pdi TTI was lower following LVRS (0.07 +/- 0.02 versus 0.09 +/- 0.03, p < 0.03). On multiple regression analysis, increases in PImax correlated significantly with decreases in RV and FRC(trapped gas) after LVRS (r = 0.67, p < 0.03). We conclude that LVRS significantly improves diaphragm strength that is associated with a reduction in lung volumes and an improvement in exercise performance. Future studies are needed to determine the relationship and stability of these changes over time.

Diaphragm↗

Stability of evoked parasternal intercostal muscle electromyogram at increased end-expiratory lung volume.

The diaphragmatic electromyogram has been measured as an index of the level of diaphragmatic activation. The diaphragmatic electromyogram, however, even when measured by intramuscular electrodes, can be artifactually altered by a change in lung volume (A. Brancatisano, S. M. Kelly, A. Tully, S. H. Loring, and L. A. Engel. J. Appl. Physiol. 66: 1699-1705, 1989) or by a change in body position. The parasternal intercostal muscle may be less subject to the mechanisms that are believed to produce this artifactual change. We asked whether the parasternal intercostal electromyographic activity could be reliable when lung volume changes. Six supine rabbits were anesthetized with ketamine and xylazine. Fine bipolar copper wires, with their tips exposed, were inserted into the left parasternal intercostal muscle in the third interspace. A stimulus that was three times maximal was applied to the corresponding intercostal nerve, and the resulting action potential (AP) was photographed. Parasternal intercostal muscle length was measured by sonomicrometry over the vital capacity range. There were small nonsignificant changes in the AP from functional residual capacity (FRC) to total lung capacity. From FRC to residual volume there was variation in the AP. The AP was also quite stable when regional conductivity was altered but showed variation when the parasternal intercostal muscle length change was accentuated by traction on the rib cage. We conclude that the parasternal intercostal electromyographic activity can be reliably used to measure inspiratory motoneuron output to it over the range of lung volumes from FRC to total lung capacity.

Animals↗

Pulmonary involvement in mixed connective tissue disease.

To determine the frequency of pulmonary function abnormalities in mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), we studied 16 consecutive patients. Spirometry, total lung capacity (TLC), diffusing capacity (Dco), static lung compliance (Cst), and tests of respiratory muscle function (peak inspiratory pressure [PIP] and the maximum change in transdiaphragmatic pressure [delta PDI] during a diaphragmatic Müeller maneuver) were obtained. Airway resistance (RAW) and frequency dependence of compliance were also measured. Static lung compliance was less than 0.2 L/cm H2O in four of nine patients. The PIP was less than 75 cm H2O in only one patient and delta PDI was greater than 45 cm H2O in all ten patients evaluated. Frequency dependence of compliance was abnormal in seven of ten patients, whereas RAW was increased in only three of eight patients. The TLC and DCO were less than 80 percent of the predicted values in ten of 16 and 14 of 16 patients respectively. There was no correlation between the level of extractable nuclear antigen and pulmonary function abnormalities. The study did not identify significant abnormalities in respiratory muscle function.

Adult↗

Effect of chronic renal failure on respiratory muscle strength.

In 10 patients with chronic renal failure (CRF), undergoing hemodialysis, we studied respiratory muscle strength and endurance. The data obtained was compared with those acquired from 10 age-, sex-, weight- and height-matched normal volunteers. Maximal static inspiratory pressures (PImax) measured at residual volume and maximal static expiratory pressure (PEmax) measured at total lung capacity were significantly lower in the CRF group, 58.2 +/- (SD)24.9 and 50.8 +/- (SD)24.2% of predicted, respectively (p less than 0.005, p less than 0.01). There was a significant correlation between PImax and PEmax (r = 0.827, p less than 0.001), indicating similar involvement of both inspiratory and expiratory muscle groups. Maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV), although 84.4% of the predicted value in the CRF group, was significantly lower than in the control group, where it was 114% of predicted (p less than 0.001). MVV also correlated significantly with PImax and PEmax (r = 0.764, p less than 0.001 and r = 0.807, p less than 0.001, respectively). All but one CRF patient had elevated erum inorganic phosphorus levels, and a significant correlation was found between the serum inorganic phosphorus levels and PImax and PEmax (r = 0.718, p less than 0.001). These data indicate that there is an impairment of respiratory muscle strength and endurance in patients with CRF which may predispose the patient to respiratory muscle fatigue.

Adult↗

Propranolol and inspiratory muscle performance in normal subjects.

We studied the effects of propranolol on respiratory muscle performance during inspiratory threshold-loaded endurance breathing in eight normal subjects. Propranolol (mean daily dose = 160 + 17 mg, SEM) reduced loaded 15-second MVV (92 versus 81 L/min;P = .01) and maximal sustainable ventilatory capacity (52.3 versus 44.5 L/min, P = .02) but did not affect the fraction of MVV, which was sustainable. Maximal static inspiratory pressures were reduced at two of three lung volumes, whereas maximal static expiratory pressures were unaffected by propranolol. The reduction in inspiratory muscle performance in the whole population could be accounted for almost entirely by four subjects who developed symptoms of "tiredness" and easy fatigability while receiving propranolol. There was no significant difference in propranolol dose, in degree of beta-receptor blockade, or in physical fitness in symptomatic and asymptomatic groups, and in neither group did propranolol alter pulmonary function test results. Propranolol directly depresses inspiratory muscle strength in subjects who develop drug-induced symptoms of fatigue by a mechanism probably unrelated to beta-adrenergic-receptor blockade.

Adult↗

Sloping alveolar plateaus of He and SF6 measured in excised cat lungs ventilated at constant volume by pressure changes.

Single-breath washout experiments with He and SF6 were performed in excised cat lungs placed in a closed, liquid-filled reservoir, where lung volume was clamped by the surrounding liquid and breathing was accomplished by hyperbaric pressure changes (pressure breathing) produced by a piston pump. Under these conditions the flow into each lung unit was assumed to be proportional to its volume, and sequential filling and emptying of lung units by convection probably did not occur. Thus, implicitly, gravity-dependent patterns of sequential filling and emptying of lung regions were also excluded. Different lung volumes (VL = 50%, 75%, 100% TLC, where TLC is total lung capacity), tidal volumes (VT = 21%, 34%, 47% TLC) and durations of post-inspiratory apnea (tA = 0,1,2,4,8 sec) were applied. The expirograms showed that the slopes of the alveolar plateau (S) were significantly positive for both He and SF6. For tA = 0 sec SHe ranged from 8.7 to 62.8% and SSF6 ranged from 24.4 to 87.8% (S is expressed in % per unit VE/TLC, where VE is expired volume). The ratio SSF6/SHe was larger than unity for each combination of VL and VT. Further, for tA = 0 sec both SHe and SSF6 showed a tendency to decrease with increasing VL and with increasing VT. For tA = 8 sec both SHe and SSF6 were close to zero. Additional single-breath washout experiments were performed with the same cat lungs by applying normal breathing where lung volume was not clamped and asynchronous unequal ventilation might have occurred. For comparable values of VL and VT, there were no clear differences between the slopes obtained at normal breathing and those obtained at pressure breathing. We conclude that asynchronous unequal ventilation plays only a minor role in the sloping alveolar plateau during normal breathing, and that the mechanism underlying the sloping alveolar plateau is diffusion dependent.

Animals↗

Contribution of lung function to exercise capacity in patients with chronic heart failure.

BACKGROUND: The importance of exercise capacity as an indicator of prognosis in patients with heart disease is well recognized. However, factors contributing to exercise limitation in such patients have not been fully characterized and in particular, the role of lung function in determining exercise capacity has not been extensively investigated. OBJECTIVE: To examine the extent to which pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength indices predict exercise performance in patients with moderate to severe heart failure. METHODS: Fifty stable heart failure patients underwent a maximal symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise test on a treadmill to determine maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max), pulmonary function tests and maximum inspiratory (PImax) and expiratory (PEmax) pressure measurement. RESULTS: In univariate analysis, VO2max correlated with forced vital capacity (r = 0.35, p = 0.01), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (r = 0.45, p = 0.001), FEV1/FVC ratio (r = 0.37, p = 0.009), maximal midexpiratory flow rate (FEF25-75, r = 0. 47, p < 0.001), and PImax (r = 0.46, p = 0.001), but not with total lung capacity, diffusion capacity or PEmax. In stepwise linear regression analysis, FEF25-75 and PImax were shown to be independently related to VO2max, with a combined r and r2 value of 0. 56 and 0.32, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Lung function indices overall accounted for only approximately 30% of the variance in maximum exercise capacity observed in heart failure patients. The mechanism(s) by which these variables could set exercise limitation in heart failure awaits further investigation.

Adult↗

Respiratory muscle function in myasthenia gravis.

Global respiratory muscle function and diaphragmatic strength were assessed and compared with quadriceps femoris muscle strength in 17 patients with generalized mild-to-moderate myasthenia gravis and breathlessness. Initial measurements, made 10 h after the last dose of oral anticholinesterase therapy, demonstrated reduced maximal static expiratory (52.4 +/- 26.8% predicted) and inspiratory (54.0 +/- 23.5% predicted) mouth pressures in 16 patients, and reduced quadriceps femoris muscle strength in all cases. Vital capacity (VC) (70.9 +/- 19.0% predicted) was abnormal in 12 patients. Transdiaphragmatic pressure recorded during maximal sniffs (sniff Pdl) was reduced in eight patients, whereas pressure recorded during bilateral phrenic nerve stimulation at 1 Hz (twitch Pdi) was reduced in only three. There was no relationship between the grade of myasthenia or the severity of dyspnea and any of the measurements of respiratory muscle strength. After the administration of edrophonium hydrochloride (Tensilon), there was a significant increase in maximal static expiratory and inspiratory mouth pressures in quadriceps muscle strength and in sniff Pdi. The small increase in VC was not significant, and twitch Pdi increased in only one patient. Phrenic nerve conduction time was normal before and after Tensilon. Two patients with severe long-standing myasthenia showed no improvement in any measurement after Tensilon. We conclude that expiratory and inspiratory muscle weakness was not uncommon in patients with myasthenia gravis. Respiratory muscle strength improved after Tensilon. Vital capacity was a less sensitive measure of respiratory muscle strength than were respiratory mouth pressures and sniff Pdi. Diaphragmatic involvement was not detected by twitch Pdi unless the weakness was severe.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Role of selected muscles of respiration as influenced by posture and tidal volume.

Studies of the activity of accessory respiratory muscles were conducted in 30 normal subjects (15 male and 15 female subjects, age 5 to 62 years). Electromyograms were recorded over the right serratus anterior muscle and the adjacent sixthe intercostal space, and the results were correlated with tidal volume. Phasic respiratory activity in the serratus anterior muscle was detected in every subject but was markedly affected by the prevailing posture and level of ventilation (appearing at mean tidal volumes equivalent to 60.5 percent of vital capacity when subjects were standing relaxed, and equivalent to 35.2 percent of vital capacity when subjects were seated, leaning forward with elbows supported). The activity was predominantly inspiratory in timing but in some subjects extended into early expiration. No significant differences were noted in subjects of different ages, sex, height, or weight. Similar results were recorded from the inspiratory intercostal muscle. On the basis of these findings, we conclude that, contrary to reports, the serratus anterior muscle should be classified as an accessory muscle of respiration, at least at increased levels of ventilation, and that its activity is most pronounced in postures that place the muscles' origin in an advantageous position for moving the ribs.

Adolescent↗

Inspiratory muscle forces and endurance in maximum resistive loading.

The ability of the respiratory muscles to sustain ventilation against increasing inspiratory resistive loads was measured in 10 normal subjects. All subjects reached a maximum rating of perceived respiratory effort and at maximum resistance showed signs of respiratory failure (CO2 retention, O2 desaturation, and rib cage and abdominal paradox). The maximum resistance achieved varied widely (range 73-660 cmH2O X l-1 X s). The increase in O2 uptake (delta Vo2) associated with loading was linearly related to the integrated mouth pressure (IMP): delta Vo2 = 0.028 X IMP + 19 ml/min (r = 0.88, P less than 0.001). Maximum delta Vo2 was 142 ml/min +/- SD 68 ml/min. There were significant (P less than 0.05) relationships between the maximum voluntary inspiratory pressure against an occluded airway (MIP) and both maximum IMP (r = 0.80) and maximum delta Vo2 (r = 0.76). In five subjects, three imposed breathing patterns were used to examine the effect of different patterns of respiratory muscle force deployment. Increasing inspiratory duration (TI) from 1.5 to 3.0 and 6.0 s, at the same frequency of breathing (5.5 breaths/min) reduced peak inspiratory pressure and increased the maximum resistance tolerated (190, 269, and 366 cmH2O X l-1 X s, respectively) and maximum IMP (2043, 2473, and 2913 cmH2O X s X min-1, but the effect on maximum delta Vo2 was less consistent (166, 237, and 180 ml/min). The ventilatory endurance capacity and the maximum O2 uptake of the respiratory muscles are related to the strength of the inspiratory muscles, but are also modified through the pattern of force deployment.

Adult↗