Asynchrony and hyperinflation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease during two types of upper limbs exercise.

INTRODUCTION: Occurrence of dynamic hyperinflation during upper-limbs exercises in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients it is not well established. We hypothesized that dynamic hyperinflation and thoracoabdominal asynchrony occurs in COPD patients accomplishing arms exercises. We assessed the occurrence and association of dynamic hyperinflation and thoracoabdominal asynchrony in COPD patients during the accomplishment of two arm exercises. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a prospective study with 25 COPD patients. A maximal and a sub-maximal upper limbs exercise test with 50% load were performed with the diagonal technique and the arm cycle ergometer technique. Respiratory pattern, thoracoabdominal configuration and dynamic hyperinflation were assessed in the exercise tests. RESULTS: Thirty per cent and 60% of patients hyperinflated at the end of the sub-maximum exercise tests with the diagonal and cycle ergometer techniques, respectively. Thoracoabdominal asynchrony occurred in 80% and 100% of patients who hyperinflated with the diagonal and cycle ergometer techniques, respectively. For both exercises we found enhancement of pulmonary ventilation, dyspnea, central respiratory drive and shortening of expiratory time (P<.05). Upper-limbs exercises with the diagonal technique presented less number of patients with these alterations. CONCLUSIONS: Dynamic pulmonary hyperinflation and thoracoabdominal asynchrony association occurred in both upper-limbs exercises; however, the diagonal technique developed less dynamic hyperinflation and thoracoabdominal asynchrony in COPD patients than the arm cycle ergometer.

Randomized, prospective trial of oxygen, continuous positive airway pressure, and bilevel positive airway pressure by face mask in acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of oxygen, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), and bilevel positive airway pressure (bilevel-PAP) on the rate of endotracheal intubation in patients with acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled trial. SETTING: Tertiary hospital emergency room. PATIENTS: We randomly assigned 80 patients with severe cardiogenic acute pulmonary edema into three treatment groups. Patients were followed for 60 days after the randomization. INTERVENTIONS: Oxygen applied by face mask, CPAP, and bilevel-PAP. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The rate of endotracheal intubation as well as vital signs and blood gases was recorded during the first 24 hrs. Mortality was evaluated at 15 days, at 60 days, and at hospital discharge. Complications related to respiratory support were evaluated before hospital discharge. Treatment with CPAP or bilevel-PAP resulted in significant improvement in the PaO2/FiO2 ratio, subjective dyspnea score, and respiratory and heart rates compared with oxygen therapy. Endotracheal intubation was necessary in 11 of 26 patients (42%) in the oxygen group but only in two of 27 patients (7%) in each noninvasive ventilation group (p = .001). There was no increase in the incidence of acute myocardial infarction in the CPAP or bilevel-PAP groups. Mortality at 15 days was higher in the oxygen than in the CPAP or bilevel-PAP groups (p < .05). Mortality up to hospital discharge was not significantly different among groups (p = .061). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with oxygen therapy, CPAP and bilevel-PAP resulted in similar vital signs and arterial blood gases and a lower rate of endotracheal intubation. No cardiac ischemic complications were associated with either of the noninvasive ventilation strategies.