Forced expiratory volume in one second and peak expiratory flow rate values in non-professional male tennis players.

AIM: Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) is a reliable and easily measured lung function index, which is nowadays used for early detection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It has also been established recently as an important predictor of all-cause, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular morbidity and mortality in the Western World. Similar implications have been made with regard to peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR). The present study was designed in order to compare the FEV1 and PEFR values of non-professional, smoking and non-smoking male athletes to those predicted for the general, non-athlete population. METHODS: A total of 141 non-professional tennis players aged 30-74 years were studied (99 smokers and 42 non-smokers). FEV1 and PEFR of all men were measured by means of a one flow spirometer, and compared to those predicted for their age and height, based on formulas for the non-athlete, healthy, non-smoking population. RESULTS: Non-professional tennis players had significantly higher FEV1 and PEFR values, compared to FEV1 and PEFR predicted, respectively. No statistically significant difference was observed between smokers and non-smokers. CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirms that even moderate physical activity, such as non-professional tennis, can improve FEV1 and PEFR values, maintaining a normal respiratory function, which is a strong predictor of reduced cardiovascular and overall morbidity and mortality. FEV1 and PEFR are easy to measure parameters that should be used more often for the assessment of general health status.

Tracheotomy in neonates.

The particularities and complications of tracheotomy in neonates, as well as postoperative care and follow-up are presented. During the five year period from 1991-1996, 12 urgent tracheotomies were performed on 12 neonates in the Hippokration Hospital of Thessaloniki, 7 boys and 5 girls, ranging from 1 to 25 days. All these infants presented severe respiratory failure due to upper airway obstruction. Endotracheal intubation was attempted on all of them with no success, and urgent tracheotomy was recommended by the neonatologists. Three out of the twelve neonates died (the first during the procedure, the second just after the procedure and the third one week later) while the remaining nine were relieved from respiratory distress. Tracheotomy is a procedure of major importance for the survival and further development of young patients.