Effects of manual chest compression on expiratory flow bias during the positive end-expiratory pressure-zero end-expiratory pressure maneuver in patients on mechanical ventilation / Efeitos da compressão torácica manual sobre o flow bias expiratório durante a manobra positive end-expiratory pressure-zero end-expiratory pressure em pacientes sob ventilação mecânica invasiva

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the effects of manual chest compression (MCC) on the expiratory flow bias during the positive end-expiratory pressure-zero end-expiratory pressure (PEEP-ZEEP) airway clearance maneuver applied in patients on mechanical ventilation. The flow bias, which influences pulmonary secretion removal, is evaluated by the ratio and difference between the peak expiratory flow (PEF) and the peak inspiratory flow (PIF). Methods: This was a crossover randomized study involving 10 patients. The PEEP-ZEEP maneuver was applied at four time points, one without MCC and the other three with MCC, which were performed by three different respiratory therapists. Respiratory mechanics data were obtained with a specific monitor. Results: The PEEP-ZEEP maneuver without MCC was enough to exceed the threshold that is considered necessary to move secretion toward the glottis (PEF − PIF difference > 33 L/min): a mean PEF − PIF difference of 49.1 ± 9.4 L/min was achieved. The mean PEF/PIF ratio achieved was 3.3 ± 0.7. Using MCC with PEEP-ZEEP increased the mean PEF − PIF difference by 6.7 ± 3.4 L/min. We found a moderate correlation between respiratory therapist hand grip strength and the flow bias generated with MCC. No adverse hemodynamic or respiratory effects were found. Conclusions: The PEEP-ZEEP maneuver, without MCC, resulted in an expiratory flow bias superior to that necessary to facilitate pulmonary secretion removal. Combining MCC with the PEEP-ZEEP maneuver increased the expiratory flow bias, which increases the potential of the maneuver to remove secretions.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar os efeitos da compressão torácica manual (CTM) sobre o flow bias expiratório durante a manobra positive end-expiratory pressure-zero end-expiratory pressure (PEEP-ZEEP) para a remoção de secreção em pacientes sob ventilação mecânica invasiva. O flow bias, que influencia na remoção de secreção pulmonar, foi avaliado pela razão e diferença entre pico de fluxo expiratório (PFE) e pico de fluxo inspiratório (PFI). Métodos: Estudo cruzado e randomizado no qual participaram 10 pacientes. A manobra PEEP-ZEEP foi aplicada em quatro momentos, sendo um sem CTM e os outros três em associação com a CTM, que foram aplicadas por três fisioterapeutas distintos. Um monitor específico foi utilizado para o registro dos dados de mecânica respiratória. Resultados: A manobra PEEP-ZEEP sem a CTM foi suficiente para ultrapassar o limiar do flow bias expiratório (diferença PFE − PFI > 33 l/min), considerado necessário para deslocar a secreção em direção à glote; a média da diferença PFE − PFI encontrada foi de 49,1 ± 9,4 l/min. A média da razão PFE/PFI alcançada foi de 3,3 ± 0,7. A associação da CTM à PEEP-ZEEP aumentou a média da diferença PFE − PFI em 6,7 ± 3,4 l/min. Foi observada correlação moderada entre a força de preensão manual dos fisioterapeutas e o flow bias gerado durante a CTM. Não foram encontradas alterações hemodinâmicas ou respiratórias adversas ao longo do estudo. Conclusões: A manobra PEEP-ZEEP sem a CTM resultou em um flow bias expiratório superior ao considerado efetivo para auxiliar na remoção de secreção pulmonar. A associação com a CTM aumentou o flow bias expiratório, o que aumenta o potencial da manobra para remover secreções.

Effects of chest wall compression on expiratory flow rates in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background: Manual chest wall compression (CWC) during expiration is a technique for removing airway secretions in patients with respiratory disorders. However, there have been no reports about the physiological effects of CWC in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Objective: To compare the effects of CWC on expiratory flow rates in patients with COPD and asymptomatic controls. Method: Fourteen subjects were recruited from among patients with COPD who were receiving pulmonary rehabilitation at the University Hospital (COPD group). Fourteen age-matched healthy subjects were also consecutively recruited from the local community (Healthy control group). Airflow and lung volume changes were measured continuously with the subjects lying in supine position during 1 minute of quiet breathing (QB) and during 1 minute of CWC by a physical therapist. Results: During CWC, both the COPD group and the healthy control group showed significantly higher peak expiratory flow rates (PEFRs) than during QB (mean difference for COPD group 0.14 L/sec, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.04 to 0.24, p<0.01, mean difference for healthy control group 0.39 L/sec, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.57, p<0.01). In the between-group comparisons, PEFR was significantly higher in the healthy control group than in the COPD group (-0.25 L/sec, 95% CI -0.43 to -0.07, p<0.01). However, the expiratory flow rates at the lung volume at the PEFR during QB and at 50% and 25% of tidal volume during QB increased in the healthy control group (mean difference for healthy control group 0.31 L/sec, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.47, p<0.01: 0.31 L/sec, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.47, p<0.01: 0.27 L/sec, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.41, p<0.01, respectively) but not in the COPD group (0.05 L/sec, 95% CI -0.01 to 0.12: -0.01 L/sec, 95% CI -0.11 to 0.08: 0.02 L/sec, 95% CI -0.05 to 0.90) with the application of CWC. Conclusion: The effects of chest wall compression on expiratory flow rates was different between COPD patients and asymptomatic controls.

Exercise performance and differences in physiological response to pulmonary rehabilitation in severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with hyperinflation / Desempenho ao exercício e diferenças na resposta fisiológica à reabilitação pulmonar em doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica grave com hiperinsuflação

Objective: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) improves exercise capacity in most but not all COPD patients. The factors associated with treatment success and the role of chest wall mechanics remain unclear. We investigated the impact of PR on exercise performance in COPD with severe hyperinflation. Methods: We evaluated 22 COPD patients (age, 66 ± 7 years; FEV1 = 37.1 ± 11.8% of predicted) who underwent eight weeks of aerobic exercise and strength training. Before and after PR, each patient also performed a six-minute walk test and an incremental cycle ergometer test. During the latter, we measured chest wall volumes (total and compartmental, by optoelectronic plethysmography) and determined maximal workloads. Results: We observed significant differences between the pre- and post-PR means for six-minute walk distance (305 ± 78 vs. 330 ± 96 m, p < 0.001) and maximal workload (33 ± 21 vs. 39 ± 20 W; p = 0.02). At equivalent workload settings, PR led to lower oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production (VCO2), and minute ventilation. The inspiratory (operating) rib cage volume decreased significantly after PR. There were 6 patients in whom PR did not increase the maximal workload. After PR, those patients showed no significant decrease in VCO2 during exercise, had higher end-expiratory chest wall volumes with a more rapid shallow breathing pattern, and continued to experience symptomatic leg fatigue. Conclusions: In severe COPD, PR appears to improve oxygen consumption and reduce VCO2, with a commensurate decrease in respiratory drive, changes reflected in the operating chest wall volumes. Patients with severe post-exercise hyperinflation and leg fatigue might be unable to improve their maximal performance despite completing a PR program.

Objetivo: A reabilitação pulmonar (RP) melhora a capacidade de exercício na maioria (mas não todos) dos pacientes com DPOC. Os fatores associados ao sucesso do tratamento e o papel da mecânica da parede torácica na determinação desse sucesso ainda não é claro. Investigamos o impacto da RP no desempenho ao exercício em pacientes com DPOC e hiperinsuflação grave. Métodos: Foram avaliados 22 pacientes com DPOC (idade, 66 ± 7 anos; VEF1 = 37,1 ± 11,8% do previsto) submetidos a oito semanas de exercícios aeróbicos e treino de força. Antes e depois da RP, cada paciente também realizou um teste de caminhada de seis minutos e um teste de exercício incremental em uma bicicleta ergométrica. Durante esse último, os volumes da parede torácica (total e compartimental por pletismografia optoeletrônica) e a carga de trabalho máxima foram determinados. Resultados: Diferenças significativas foram observadas entre as médias pré e pós-RP da distância percorrida no teste de caminhada de seis minutos (305 ± 78 vs. 330 ± 96 m; p < 0,001) e da carga máxima (33 ± 21 vs. 39 ± 20 W; p = 0,02). Sob parâmetros de carga de trabalho equivalente, a RP levou a valores menores de consumo de oxigênio, produção de dióxido de carbono (VCO2) e ventilação minuto. O volume inspiratório (operacional) da caixa torácica diminuiu significativamente após a RP. Em 6 pacientes, a RP não aumentou a carga máxima. Após a RP, esses pacientes não apresentaram uma diminuição significativa na VCO2 durante o exercício, tiveram maiores volumes expiratórios finais da parede torácica com padrão respiratório mais rápido e superficial e continuaram a apresentar fadiga sintomática nas pernas. Conclusões: Na DPOC grave, a RP parece melhorar o consumo de oxigênio e reduzir VCO2, com uma diminuição proporcional no drive respiratório, mudanças essas que são refletidas nos volumes operacionais da parede torácica. Pacientes com hiperinsuflação grave pós-exercício e fadiga nas pernas podem ser incapazes de melhorar seu desempenho máximo apesar de completarem um programa de RP.

Dynamics of chest wall volume regulation during constant work rate exercise in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

This study evaluated the dynamic behavior of total and compartmental chest wall volumes [(V CW) = rib cage (V RC) + abdomen (V AB)] as measured breath-by-breath by optoelectronic plethysmography during constant-load exercise in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Thirty males (GOLD stages II-III) underwent a cardiopulmonary exercise test to the limit of tolerance (Tlim) at 75% of peak work rate on an electronically braked cycle ergometer. Exercise-induced dynamic hyperinflation was considered to be present when end-expiratory (EE) V CW increased in relation to resting values. There was a noticeable heterogeneity in the patterns of V CW regulation as EEV CW increased non-linearly in 17/30 "hyperinflators" and decreased in 13/30 "non-hyperinflators" (P < 0.05). EEV AB decreased slightly in 8 of the "hyperinflators", thereby reducing and slowing the rate of increase in end-inspiratory (EI) V CW (P < 0.05). In contrast, decreases in EEV CW in the "non-hyperinflators" were due to the combination of stable EEV RC with marked reductions in EEV AB. These patients showed lower EIV CW and end-exercise dyspnea scores but longer Tlim than their counterparts (P < 0.05). Dyspnea increased and Tlim decreased non-linearly with a faster rate of increase in EIV CW regardless of the presence or absence of dynamic hyperinflation (P < 0.001). However, no significant between-group differences were observed in metabolic, pulmonary gas exchange and cardiovascular responses to exercise. Chest wall volumes are continuously regulated during exercise in order to postpone (or even avoid) their migration to higher operating volumes in patients with COPD, a dynamic process that is strongly dependent on the behavior of the abdominal compartment.