Exercise Tolerance in Patients With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, Effect of Supplemental Oxy-Gen.

Exercise tolerance in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis IPF is mainly limited by mechanical constrain of ventilation and high physiologic dead space. Oxygen enriched gas inhalation seems to increase ventilatory efficiency by reduction of dead space to tidal volume ratio (VD/VT) which probably mirrors improved pulmonary capillary flow and leads to longer physical tolerance at lower level of minute ventilation. The effect is noticeable at FIO2 that can be delivered in rehabilitation purposes or daily living activities.

Airflow limitation is accompanied by diaphragm dysfunction.

Chronic airflow limitation, caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or by asthma, is believed to change the shape and the position of the diaphragm due to an increase in lung volume. We have made a comparison of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of diaphragm in supine position with pulmonary functions, respiratory muscle function and exercise tolerance. We have studied the differences between patients with COPD, patients with asthma, and healthy subjects. Most interestingly we found the lung hyperinflation leads to the changes in diaphragmatic excursions during the breathing cycle, seen in the differences between the maximal expiratory diaphragm position (DPex) in patients with COPD and control group (p=0.0016). The magnitude of the diaphragmatic dysfunction was significantly related to the airflow limitation expressed by the ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 s to slow vital capacity (FEV(1)/SVC), (%, p=0.0007); to the lung hyperinflation expressed as the ratio of the residual volume to total lung capacity (RV/TLC), (%, p=0.0018) and the extent of tidal volume constrain expressed as maximal tidal volume (V(Tmax)), ([l], p=0.0002); and the ratio of tidal volume to slow vital capacity (V(T)/SVC), (p=0.0038) during submaximal exercise. These results suggest that diaphragmatic movement fails to contribute sufficiently to the change in lung volume in emphysema. Tests of respiratory muscle function were related to the position of the diaphragm in deep expiration, e.g. neuromuscular coupling (P(0.1)/V(T)) (p=0.0232). The results have shown that the lung volumes determine the position of the diaphragm and function of the respiratory muscles. Chronic airflow limitation seems to change the position of the diaphragm, which thereafter influences inspiratory muscle function and exercise tolerance. There is an apparent relationship between the position of the diaphragm and the pulmonary functions and exercise tolerance.

Flow-mediated vasodilatation in the patients with anorexia nervosa.

OBJECTIVE: To compare flow-mediated vasodilatation in patients with anorexia nervosa and healthy subjects. BACKGROUND: Endothelial dysfunction is present in the patients with anorexia nervosa. However, flow-mediated vasodilatation in the patients with anorexia nervosa in comparison with control subjects has not been yet evaluated. METHODS: Flow-mediated vasodilatation in the brachial artery was examined in 30 patients with anorexia nervosa admitted to metabolic care unit for realimentation and compared to 30 control subjects. RESULTS: The average age of the patients with mental anorexia was 25.0±5.2 compared to 25.5±4.5 years of the healthy control subjects (NS). BMI was in 14.0±1.7 kg/m2 in patients with anorexia nervosa comparing to 20.4±1.0 kg/m2 in the healthy control subjects (p<0.001). The baseline mean diameter of the right brachial artery was 0.33±0.06 cm in the anorexia nervosa patients and 0.35±0.05 cm in the control subjects (NS). The absolute increase of brachial artery size after reactive hyperemia was 0.029±0.006 cm (9%) in the anorexia nervosa patients and 0.039±0.006 cm (11 %) in the control subjects (p=0.002). After realimentation, the baseline mean diameter of the right brachial artery was comparable to the result before nutrition intervention - 0.34±0.05 cm but brachial artery increase due to reactive hyperemia was 0.036±0.05 cm (10.5 %). It was for 19 % higher compared to the first examination (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Flow-mediated vasodilatation is decreased in the patients with anorexia nervosa in comparison with the healthy control subjects and improves after realimentation (Tab. 1, Ref. 20).

[Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the light of new guidelines -  brief summary of phenotypically oriented guidelines for nonpulmonary physicians]. / Chronická obstrukcní plicní nemoc pohledem nových doporucení -  souhrn aktuálního fenotypove zamereného standardu Ceské pneumologické a ftizeologické spolecnosti pro internisty.

INTRODUCTION: COPD is a global health and social problem. Morbidity and mortality increases in the Czech Republic. There are currently several global statements and strategies. METHODS: The Czech Pneumological and Phthisiological Society (CPFS) at the end of 2011 mandated the Section of bronchial obstruction in drafting national guidelines concerning the stable COPD. Subsequently, this document was discussed during the National Consensus Conference (COPD forum) in November 2012 and presented at series of local workshops and national conferences. National guidelines has been subject to a review and eventually posted on the website for another round of comments. DIAGNOSIS: A modern approach to COPD is a view of the patient through the pulmonary function, symptoms, exacerbation rates and the presence of specific phenotypes. CPFS identified six clinically relevant phenotypes: frequent exacerbators, COPD and asthma overlap, COPD and bronchiectasis overlap, emphysematic phenotype, bronchitic phenotype and phenotype of pulmonary cachexia. TREATMENT: TREATMENT recommendations can be divided into four elementary steps: the first step is the Elimination of all risks factors. The second one is the Standard therapy including in particular inhaled bronchodilators, pulmonary rehabilitation, and treatment of severe comorbidities. The third step is the Targeted therapy centered on clinical phenotypes of COPD. The final fourth step is the treatment of respiratory insufficiency and palliative care of the terminal COPD. CONCLUSION: The optimal treatment of COPD requires a personalized approach to the patient.

Common carotid artery intima-media thickness is not increased but distensibility is reduced in normotensive patients with type 2 diabetes compared with control subjects.

This study evaluated carotid artery parameters in normotensive patients with type 2 diabetes compared with non-diabetic control subjects. Using a high-resolution B-mode ultrasound scanner, common carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and carotid tree atheroma thickness were measured in 82 patients with type 2 diabetes and 41 controls. The distensibility of the common carotid artery was calculated using the Reneman equation. Distensibility was significantly decreased and atheroma thickness was significantly increased in the diabetes group. There was no significant difference in IMT between the two groups. Stepwise linear regression analysis revealed an association between common carotid artery distensibility and post-ischaemic dilatation of the brachial artery (a measure of endothelial function), body mass index and diabetes duration in patients with type 2 diabetes. In conclusion, common carotid artery IMT in normotensive patients with type 2 diabetes is comparable to that of control subjects, whereas atheroma thickness is higher and arterial stiffness more pronounced in those with type 2 diabetes, indicating the existence of atherosclerotic changes in normotensive type 2 diabetes patients.

The impact of early diastolic myocardial relaxation on the other parameters of diastolic function and association of tissue Doppler parameters of diastolic function with diabetes compensation and duration in type 2 diabetic patients.

This study assessed the impact of tissue Doppler derived myocardial early diastolic relaxation velocity (E(m)) on the other parameters of diastolic function (preload dependent transmitral early diastolic velocity [E], tissue Doppler derived myocardial late diastolic velocity [A(m)], preload dependent transmitral late diastolic velocity [A]) and evaluated the correlation of these parameters with selected clinical variables in type 2 diabetic patients. Using tissue Doppler echocardiography, 82 type 2 diabetic patients were evaluated, divided into two equal groups of E(m) < 7.5 cm/s or > or = 7.5 cm/s. Patients with E(m) < 7.5 cm/s had significantly lower E/A and E(m)/A(m), and higher E/E(m) values. Multilinear regression showed a negative correlation between E(m) and glycated haemoglobin (Hb(A1c)) and duration of diabetes, a negative correlation of E(m)/A(m) with age, duration of diabetes and Hb(A1c), and a positive correlation of E/E(m) with age, duration of diabetes and use of diuretics. The E/A ratio only correlated negatively with age. It is concluded that E(m) is a reliable parameter of diastolic function, and that the tissue Doppler parameters of diastolic function are associated with diabetes compensation and diabetes duration.

Circulating serum matrix metalloproteinase-3 and metalloproteinase-9 are not associated with echocardiographic parameters of diastolic function in asymptomatic type 2 diabetic patients.

Serum concentrations of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 3 and MMP9 were evaluated in 82 asymptomatic type 2 diabetes mellitus patients without cardiovascular complications and in 41 non-diabetic control subjects. In the asymptomatic diabetic patients, the correlations of these concentrations with diabetes duration, selected biochemical parameters such as glycated haemoglobin (HbA(1c)), and echocardiographic parameters of diastolic function were also assessed. Pulsed and tissue Doppler echocardiography was performed in the two groups. Mean ± SD age was 61 ± 6 years for the asymptomatic diabetic patients and 61 ± 5 years for controls. Mean ± SD concentrations of MMP3 and MMP9 were significantly higher in the asymptomatic diabetic patients (67.5 ± 10.4 and 77.8 ± 28.8 µg/l, respectively) than in controls (47.2 ± 6.1 and 51.1 ± 13.7 µg/l, respectively). In the asymptomatic diabetic patients, MMP3 correlated only with albuminuria (r = 0.341) and MMP9 only with HbA(1c) (r = 0.262); neither MMP was correlated with echocardiographic parameters of diastolic function. Thus, in asymptomatic type 2 diabetic patients without cardiovascular complications, serum MMP3 and MMP9 were elevated, MMP9 was associated with HbA(1c) and MMP3 was associated with albuminuria, however, MMP3 and MMP9 were not associated with echocardiographic parameters of diastolic function.

Non-invasive assessment of respiratory muscle function and its relationship to exercise tolerance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Most patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have impaired respiratory muscle function. Maximal oesophageal pressure correlates closely with exercise tolerance and seems to predict the distance walked during the 6-min walk test. This study assessed the non-invasive parameters of respiratory muscle function in 41 patients with COPD to investigate their relationship to pulmonary function tests and exercise tolerance. The COPD patients, who demonstrated the full range of airway obstruction severity, had a mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s of 42.5% predicted (range, 20 - 79% predicted). Both the maximal inspiratory muscle strength and non-invasive tension-time index were significantly correlated with the degree of lung hyperinflation, as expressed by the ratio of residual volume to total lung capacity, and the distance walked in 6 min. We conclude that respiratory muscle function was influenced mainly by lung hyperinflation and that it had an important effect on exercise tolerance in COPD patients.

Strategy aimed at reduction of sputum eosinophils decreases exacerbation rate in patients with asthma.

Under Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines, the clinical control of disease activity and the adjustment of treatment in patients with asthma are based on symptoms, use of rescue medication, lung function and peak expiratory flow measurement (standard strategy). We investigated whether a strategy to reduce the number of sputum eosinophils (EOS strategy) gives better clinical control and a lower exacerbation rate compared with the standard strategy. Fifty-five patients with moderate to severe asthma entered this open, randomized, parallel-group study and visited the out-patient department every 3 months for 18 months. The dose of corticosteroids was adjusted according to the standard strategy or the percentage of sputum eosinophils (EOS strategy). During the study period, the EOS strategy led to a significantly lower incidence of asthma exacerbations compared with the standard strategy group (0.22 and 0.78 exacerbations per year per patient, respectively). There were significant differences between the strategies in time to first exacerbation.

The significance of carotid artery plaques in the detection of coronary artery disease in asymptomatic type 2 diabetic patients.

This study aimed to evaluate whether there was any association between carotid artery ultrasound parameters and the results of stress myocardial single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and coronarography in 126 asymptomatic type 2 diabetic patients. Thirty-three (26%) patients had an abnormal SPECT result, 33 (26%) had an intermediate result and 60 (48%) had a normal result. Carotid ultrasound demonstrated a significant association between an abnormal SPECT result and the presence of atheroma plaques and reduced distensibility of the common carotid artery, but there was no association with intima-media thickness (IMT). In 38 diabetic patients who agreed to be examined with selective coronarography, significant coronary stenosis (at least one stenosis > or = 70%) was diagnosed in 22 (58%) patients. A significant association was demonstrated between significant coronary stenosis and the presence of atheroma plaques; however, there was no association between stenosis and reduced distensibility of the common carotid artery or IMT.

Echocardiography and carotid sonography in diabetic patients after cerebrovascular attacks.

This study evaluated the aetiological factors for cerebrovascular attack (CVA) using echocardiography and sonography of the carotid arteries. Results from 253 patients with CVA were evaluated retrospectively and analysed according to the presence or absence of diabetes and atrial fibrillation. In patients with sinus rhythm (n = 182), the presence of diabetes was associated with an increased incidence of atherosclerotic changes and significant stenosis of the carotid artery as well as greater intima-media thickness. In contrast, when evaluating signs of thromboembolic risk, there were no statistically significant differences in left atrial diameter or left ventricular ejection fraction between the two groups. In patients with atrial fibrillation (n = 71), no significant differences were observed between diabetic and non-diabetic patients in any of the parameters measured. These findings suggest that the increased risk of ischaemic CVA in diabetic patients is due to atherosclerosis in the carotid vessels rather than embolism of cardiac origin.

[The role of bronchial artery embolization in the treatment of hemoptysis]. / Postavení embolizace bronchiální tepny v terapii klinicky významné hemoptýzy.

BACKGROUND: Moderate and severe hemoptysis is a potential life-threatening condition which requires immediate medical examination and intervention. AIM: Retrospective evaluation of the effectiveness of bronchial artery embolization in the management of hemoptysis (over 50 ml per 24 hours) in the university hospital (from 1998 to 2005). METHODS: A retrospective case study. Forty seven consecutive patients with hemoptysis over 50 ml per 24 hours were reviewed and data collected from medical documentation (medical history, chest X-ray, bronchoscopy, thorax spiral CT, pulmonary and bronchial angiography). RESULTS: Forty seven patients, 34 men and 13 women aged between 19-87 years, mean age of 57.1 years, were included in this study. All patients had clinically important hemoptysis (more than 50 ml blood in 24 hours), 23 patients 50-200 ml, 14 patients 200-500 ml, 10 patients over 500 ml. Twenty eight patients had reccurent hemoptysis and nineteen patients had the first stage of hemoptysis. Within the study group we recorded the following clinical causes of hemoptysis: 12 COPD with bronchiectasis, 11 pulmonary malignancy, 11 idiopatic hemoptysis, 5 arterioarterial shunts, 3 pneumonia, 2 aspergillomas, 1 posttuberculous scars, 1 pulmonary trauma, 1 pulmonary arteriovenous malformation. All 47 patients underwent angiography. Thirty seven bronchial artery embolizations (BAE) were performed on the side with greater bronchoscopy and CT abnormality. Polyvinyl-alcohol (sponge particles 45-350 pm) or acrylate glue were used as embolizing agents. We did not observe any complication during this procedures (BAE). Immediate success i.e. cessation of hemoptysis was achieved in 36 patients (97%). Follow-up lasted 4-63 months (33 patients). BAE resulted in long-term success i.e. no recurrent hemoptysis for 28 patients (85%). CONCLUSION: Transcatheter bronchial artery embolization is an effective and safe procedure for patients suffering from clinically important hemoptysis. Short-term control of hemoptysis can be achieved in 97% and long-term control in 85% of cases. Bronchial artery embolization is a treatment which can reduce the need for acute thoracic surgery.

Transoesophageal echocardiography in patients with stroke and low risk of embolic etiology.

Transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is currently the gold standard in the diagnosis of cardiac sources of embolization and the frequently discussed question is whether all patients with suspected embolic stroke should be screened by TEE. Based on the results of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), we determined the significance of TEE in patients with ischemic stroke with low risk of embolic etiology. We made a retrospective evaluation of TEE examination in the period from 1(st) January 2000 to 31(st) December 2003 in patients with ischemic stroke and sinus rhythm and normal left ventricular function. TEE examination was done in 159 patients. A quarter of the patients had pathological findings in the heart: left atrial thrombus in nine (5.7%), spontaneous echocontrast in left atrium in 14 (8.8%), patent foramen ovale in 16 (10%) and other findings in seven (4.4%) patients. The finding of the thrombus or echocontrast in the left atrium correlated with the size of the left atrium and it was proved in the patients with left atrium of size above 39 mm. On the contrary, patent foramen ovale was found in younger patients (70 vs. 59 years). Our results have shown that TEE is of low relevance to patients with a normal transthoracic echocardiogram.

The association between left ventricle diastolic dysfunction and endothelial dysfunction and the results of stress myocardial SPECT in asymptomatic patients with type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes mellitus is associated with a poor cardiovascular prognosis. Stress myocardial single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) reliably detects coronary ischaemia in asymptomatic patients. Our study aimed to evaluate the association between systolic and diastolic left ventricular function, left ventricular hypertrophy, endothelial function and the results of stress myocardial SPECT in 126 patients with type 2 diabetic patients with no cardiovascular symptoms. Thirty-three patients (26%) had abnormal SPECT results, 33 patients (26%) had intermediate (equivocal) results, and 60 patients (48%) had normal results. We found a significant association between an abnormal SPECT result, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and impaired post-ischaemic dilatation of the brachial artery. No association was found between the SPECT result and systolic function and left ventricular hypertrophy, however. An abnormal SPECT result was significantly associated with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and the deterioration of post-ischaemic dilatation of the brachial artery in asymptomatic patients with type 2 diabetes.

[Exercise tolerance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]. / Tolerance fyzické záteze u pacientu s chronickou obstrukcní plicní nemocí.

Limitation of exercise tolerance, especially activities of daily living, is the most significant clinical experience, which greatly affects quality of life of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Many advances in the understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of bronchial obstruction in patients with COPD and their meanings for diagnosis and monitoring of the disease have occurred during the last two decades. The author discusses the most significant factors, which influence tolerance of physical exercise in patients with more advanced forms of COPD, and brings the attention to a practical test of physical capacity.

Comparison of the exercise ECG and stress myocardial SPECT in detection of the significant coronary artery disease in the asymptomatic patients with diabetes mellitus type 2.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is known to be a risk factor of the coronary heart disease even in the asymptomatic patients. Only a limited number of reports comparing the significance of different noninvasive stress tests in establishing the diagnosis of the advanced coronary lesions exists. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to compare the significance of 12-lead exercise ECG and the myocardial SPECT in order to detect the significant coronary heart disease in asymptomatic type 2 diabetics. METHODS: 126 type 2 diabetic patients with negative history and no clinical or electrocardiographic signs of coronary heart disease were examined with the exercise ECG and the stress myocardial SPECT. The selective coronary angiography (SCG) was recommended to all patients with an abnormal SPECT or (and) a positive exercise ECG. The SCG was recommended to patients with equivocal results of the stress myocardial SPECT as well. RESULTS: 33 out of 126 examined patients (26.2%) had an abnormal, 33 equivocal and 60 normal stress myocardial SPECT. The exercise test could be evaluated in 99 examined patients (78%). 25 diabetics had positive test (19.8%). The correlation between the results of 2 tests was very good (p=0.0001). 38 patients had SCG, 24 with the abnormal SPECT, 13 with equivocal and 1 with normal SPECT. Out of these 20 patients had positive, 10 negative and 8 non-assessable exercise ECG. The relation between the presence of significant coronary stenosis (stenosis >70%) and the presence of abnormal stress myocardial SPECT was stronger (p=0.006) when compared with the positive exercise test (p=0.037). For the significant coronary stenosis the positive predictive value was 90% with the stress myocardial SPECT and 68% with the exercise ECG. CONCLUSION: The significance of the exercise ECG is lower predominantly due to high proportion of patients with non-assessable results. For the presence of significant coronary stenosis the positive predictive value of the stress myocardial SPECT is better than that of the exercise ECG. (Tab. 2, Ref: 25.)

[Non-alcoholic risks of alcoholic beverages]. / Nealkoholická rizika alkoholických nápoju.

Alcoholic beverages are a potential source of numerous health risks. The general risks are well known; first of all they result from the contents of the alcohol and their degree is directly proportional to the amount consumed. However, alcoholic beverages contain also a wide range of non-alcoholic components, which can be a source of health risks as well. Some of these substances work through allergic or pseudoallergic mechanisms and such undesired response can appear early after the consumption of a small amount of beverage. The article offers a basic survey of alcoholic beverages; it mentions important technological procedures of their production stating also the most significant resulting components of their individual types. A special attention is paid to the non-alcoholic components, which can be the cause of undesired effects on the human health.

[Relation between diabetes compensation, albuminuria and biochemical parameters and the results of stress myocardial SPECT in asymptomatic type 2 diabetics]. / Vztah kompenzace diabetu, prítomnosti albuminurie a nekterých biochemických parametru k výsledku zátezového SPECT-u myokardu u asymptomatických diabetiku 2. typu.

The patients with diabetes mellitus and another risk factors have significantly higher risk to suffer from ischemic heart disease. Myocardial stress SPECT represents the examination which correlates very well with the results of selective coronary angiography even in asymptomatic diabetic patients. The aim of our study was to evaluate the relation of SPECT result to diabetes compensation, presence of micro/macroalbuminuria, blood level of fibrinogen, CRP, homocysteine and uric acid. Out of 126 diabetic 2. type abnormal SPECT has been found in 33 (26%). Fasting blood sugar (9.3 +/- 1.4 mmol/l in patients with abnormal SPECT vs. 9.7 +/- 1.9 mmol/l in the other diabetics, n.s.) and HbA1c (7.5 +/- 1.3% vs. 7.5 +/- 1.3%, n.s.) are not significantly different in the patients with abnormal SPECT to the other diabetics without this finding. Micro/macroalbuminuria was significantly more frequently seen in patients with abnormal SPECT (60% of patients with abnormal SPECT and 29% in the rest of diabetics, p = 0.01). Fibrinogen was significantly more elevated in diabetics with abnormal SPECT (3.76 +/- 0.5 g/l in the group with abnormal SPECT vs. 3.23 +/- 0.43 g/l, p = 0.0003). In the diabetics with abnormal SPECT we have found significantly higher CRP (3.84 +/- 1.51 mg/l vs. 2.79 +/- 1.13 mg/l, p = 0.024) and homocysteine (13.78 +/- 3.26 micromol/l vs. 10.98 +/- 2.33 micromol/l, p = 0.006). Uric acid level was not significantly different in the group of diabetics with abnormal SPECT to the rest of the patients (361 +/- 64 micromol/l in abnormal SPECT vs. 353 +/- 51 micromol/l, n.s.). When we analyse our results we have found that abnormal SPECT is rarely discovered in the asymptomatic 2nd type diabetics with the combination of negative micro/macroalbuminuria and fibrinogen level below 3.5 g/l.

[Importance of measurement of carotid artery distensibility]. / Význam merení distenzibility karotické tepny.

Affections of the structure of the major blood vessels can be assessed non-invasively by ultrasound. The authors assessed the thickness of the intima-media (IMT) and distensibility (D) of the carotid arteries in patients with ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and a cerebrovascular attack (CVA). Duplex sonography was used in 234 patients (145 patients with IHD and 89 patients with CVA) incl. assessment of IMT and D. 59 patients had type 2 diabetes and 64 had atrial fibrillations. D was evaluated according to Raneman's formula (mm/100 mm Hg). Diabetic subjects had a poorer D in the group with IHD (0.16 vs. 0.20, p < 0.05) as well as in the CVA group (0.14 vs. 0.17, p < 0.05) and the finding correlated with IMT. Insulin treatment as compared with PAD treatment did not influence D in a significant way (0.15 vs. 0.16, NS). Th presence of atrial fibrillation in patients with IHD did not affect the investigated parameters (IMT 0.72 vs. 0.74 mm, NS, D 0.19 vs. 0.18, NS). In patients with CVA, as compared with patients with a sinus rhythm, better IMT findings were recorded (0.67 mm vs. 0.79 mm, p < 0.05) and D (0.19 vs. 0.10, p < 0.05). The results indicate that IMT an D correlate indirectly and this is made more apparent by the presence of diabetes. In patients with CVA the different findings in relation to the presence of atrial fibrillation indicate the possibility to use these parameters to differentiate an embolic and thrombotic etiology of the attack. The results assembled by the authors do not support a better informative value of D as compared with IMT.

[Relation between pulmonary ventilation parameters, exercise tolerance and quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease]. / Vztah ventilacních plicních parametru, tolerance fyzické záteze a kvality zivota u pacientu s chronickou obstrukcní plicní nemocí.

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) do usually have decreased tolerance of exercise capacity and impaired quality of life. Several studies have shown that exercise capacity is related relatively weakly to lung functions in this group of patients. The aim of the present study was to find parameter which could better reflect or predict maximal exercise capacity. 19 patients with the diagnosis COPD with mean value of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) 46% predicted (range 21-79%) entering pulmonary rehabilitation program were included into the study. Enrolled patients were chosen to cover the whole range of airway obstruction severity. Post-bronchodilator static and dynamic ventilation parameters were used for evaluation and calculation. Quality of live was measured using St. George's respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ), evaluating symptoms, activity and impact of the disease with range from 0 (the best level) to 100 (the worst level). Values of FEV1 (p < 0.001) and ratio of FEV1 to vital capacity (FEV1/VC, p < 0.001) were significantly positively correlated with 6 minute walking distance (6MWD). FEV1/VC were closely related to 6MWD then FEV1. The degree of hyperinflation expressed by residual volume (RV, p < 0.005) and by ratio of residual volume to total lung capacity (RV/TLC, p < 0.001) significantly negatively correlated with 6MWD. Maximal occlusion mouth pressures (PImax, p < 0.05) were positively related to 6MWD. Total score of SGRQ correlated significantly to maximal exercise capacity. Pulmonary function tests and respiratory muscle function have important impact on exercise tolerance in patients with COPD. Tolerance of exercise capacity is significantly reflected by total score of quality of life in this group of patients.