Search

Objectives: A decrement in evoked muscle force with repetitive nerve stimulation (fade) suggests impaired neuromuscular transmission. We tested the hypothesis that fade of pulmonary function, ie, a decrease in values [...]

Objective: To study the relationship of resting pulmonary function to maximal exercise power output (Wmax) in obstructive lung disease (OLD). Setting: University Hospital Pulmonary Function Laboratory. Subjects: Twenty-five patients with [...]

Study objective: To classify abnormal lung function in epidemiologic studies, we first calculated 'normal' values using data from Australian white adults. We then examined the effects of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), [...]

Objective: Although the influence of obesity on ventilatory function has long been recognized, the nature of the relationship and the mechanisms are not yet clear. The purpose of this report was to examine the effects of overall obesity and fat distribution on ventilatory function. Method: Multiple measurements over [is greater than] 30 years from 507 subjects with lifelong tobacco consumption of [is less than or equal to] 1 pack-year were analyzed separately m five age decades from 30 to 79 years. FVC, [FEV.sub.1], ratio of [FEV.sub.1] to FVC, and maximal midexpiratory flow rate (MMEF) were each adjusted for age and stature. Relative adiposity (or obesity) was assessed using the body mass index (BMI). Subscapular skinfold thickness, abdominal girth, and the ratio of abdominal girth to hip breadth (AG/HB) were used as measures of body fat distribution. Multiple linear regression was used to explore the effects of overall adiposity and body fat distribution on ventilatory function. Results: BMI was positively associated with the ratio of [FEV.sub.1] to FVC at all ages (p [is less than] 0.01), and negatively with FVC and MMEF between 40 and 69 years (p [is less than] 0.01). After adjustment for BMI, subscapular skinfold thickness was negatively associated with both FVC and [FEV.sub.1] (p [is less than or equal to] 0.02) among men aged 30 to 59 years, whereas AG/HB was negatively associated with FVC and [FEV.sub.1] in men aged 50 to 59 years only (p [is less than or equal to] 0.0004). Conclusions: Body fat distribution has independent effects on ventilatory function after adjustment for overall obesity in men. The finding that age modifies this association has implications for future research. (CHEST 1997, 111:891-98) Key words: regional fat distribution; relative adiposity; ventilatory function Abbreviations: AG/HB=ratio of abdominal girth to hip breadth, BMI=body mass index, MMEF=maximal midexpiratory flow rate; NAS=Normative Aging Study; WHR=waist to hip ratio, Obesity is a common problem in the United States with a variety of effects on the respiratory system.[1] While gross obesity may be associated with profound ventilatory impairment, the more [...]

In two patients with a goiter and respiratory symptoms occurring only in the recumbent posture, flow-volume loops (FVLs) were performed in various body postures: while sitting upright, supine, and left [...]

Study objective: To determine pulmonary function test (PFT) profile and respiratory muscle strength (RMS) of a group of obese individuals who did not have evidence of obstructive airway disease or [...]

Objectives: To assess the exercise response to single lung transplantation in chronic airflow obstruction (CAO), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and pulmonary vascular disease (PVD) vs double lung transplantation at well-defined [...]

Changes in cardiopulmonary function were retrospectively evaluated back to two years before acute exacerbations requiring ICU admission in 16 COLD patients with chronic hypercapnic respiratory insufficiency (age: 61 ± 6 years, group A). Fifteen hypercapnic COLD patients matched for age, sex, lung function, and blood gas values not requiring an ICU admission in a period of two years, served as control subjects (age: 66 ± 7, group B). Periodic assessments of spirometry, arterial blood gas values, echocardiography, body weight, and red blood cell count performed in stable state were compared for differences between groups and changes over a period of two years. The results indicated that basal body weight, rate of deterioration over time in [FEV.sub.1], VC, blood gas values, bicarbonates, and RVD may be related to the necessity of ICU admission in COLD patients with hypercapnic respiratory insufficiency. (Chest 1992; 102:1737-41) IBW = ideal body weight; ANOVA = analysis of variance; RVD = right ventricular diameter; LTOT = long-term oxygen therapy; GCS = Glasgow coma scale, Chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD) is an important cause of death in industrial countries. A number of studies suggest that mortality and morbidity due to COLD are major health problems, [...]

Pulmonary function tests were performed at rest and following blood transfusion on 17 patients with thalassemia major. A rest, diffusion capacity was significantly reduced (mean of 57 percent), and forced vital capacity was mildly reduced (mean of 85 percent). In two of the patients, arterial oxygen tension was low. Other pulmonary function results were in the normal range. Following blood transfusion, a significant drop was seen in arterial oxygen tension ([PaO.sub.2] of 22 mm Hg) and in forced vital capacity (FVC) of 32 percent. These changes were dramatic and require further explanation. (Chest 1992;101:362-70), Patients with thalassemia major suffer from a qualitative defect in hemoglobin production, which causes early hemolysis, and therefore the need for repeated blood transfusions. The consequence of this hemolysis is [...]

Abstract Objective--To clarify the relative contribution of resting haemodynamic profile and pulmonary function to exercise capacity in patients with heart failure. Setting--Cardiology department and cardiac rehabilitation unit in a tertiary [...]

More or Less? Obesity is one of the most frequently found markers of health risk in the United States. Over one-third of adults are at least 20% over ideal weight, [...]

Pulmonary Function as a Phenotype Physiologic Marker of Cariovascular Morbidity and Mortality It has been recognized since the turn of the century that congestive heart failure results in a decrease [...]