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Biomedical subjects

C Veriter

Publications and source records attributed to C Veriter.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Upper airway anesthesia induces airflow limitation in awake humans.

Upper airway receptors are thought to contribute to upper airway stability by reducing collapsing forces. Their activity can be abolished by topical anesthesia. We have measured in 16 healthy volunteers (mean +/- SD age, 23.7 +/- 1.6 yr) specific airway conductance (SGaw), maximal inspiratory (MIFR) and expiratory (MEFR) flow rates before and 15, 35, and 45 min after extensive upper airway anesthesia (UAA) with 10% lidocaine. Average values of MIFR decreased (p less than 0.01) 15 min after UAA, but they returned to or near to control values at 45 min: MIF25 (4.8 versus 6.0 L/s); MIF50 (5.1 versus 6.2 L/s); MIF75 (4.4 versus 5.3 L/s). Transient decreases in flow (V) rates, reaching zero flow in some subjects, were observed in 13 subjects during forced inspiratory vital capacity (FIVC) maneuvers and in seven subjects during forced expiratory vital capacity (FEVC) maneuvers. MEFR at 25, 50, and 75% FVC, SGaw, and FVC did not change after anesthesia. Simultaneous measurements of supraglottic pressure, V, and lung volume in 12 of the 16 subjects showed that the site of flow limitation was localized at the level of the glottis in all except one subject in whom there was both a glottic and a supraglottic obstruction. We conclude that extensive upper airway anesthesia induced a profound but transitory upper airway obstruction during FIVC and FEVC maneuvers. These findings are compatible with the concept of reflex regulation of upper airway caliber.

Adult

[The effect of inhaled salbutamol on pulmonary gas exchange in patients with chronic obstructive bronchopneumopathy].

The aim of this study is to establish whether or not the inhalation of a puff of salbutamol (Ventoline, 100 micrograms) could induce hypoxemia. Twenty-five chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients were investigated. In a first group of 20 patients arterial blood gases and related indices were measured before and 5, 10, 30, 60 and 90 minutes after inhalation of salbutamol. The oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve was traced before and 90 minutes after the drug intake. Except in two subjects in whom salbutamol dramatically improves arterial blood gases, the drug had no effect on the investigated parameters. It is concluded that salbutamol does not affect the blood gases in COPD patients. In this respect the behaviour of COPD patients differs from that of asthmatics in whom salbutamol generally induced hypoxemia.

Administration, Inhalation

Pattern of snoring in obstructive sleep apnea patients and in heavy snorers.

We measured respiratory mechanical characteristics during sleep in five heavy, nonapneic snorers (HS) and in five obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients. In two HS and in two OSA patients we obtained lateral pharyngeal cineradiographic images during sleep while snoring. Flow limitation preceded all snores in both HS and OSA. Pattern of snoring, hysteresis and temporal relationship between supraglottic pressure (Psg) and flow rate were different in HS and OSA. Maximal flow during snoring was less (p less than 0.05) in OSA (0.18 +/- 0.07 liter/second) than in HS (0.36 +/- 0.06 liter/second). Linear supraglottic resistance during inspiratory snoring was higher, though not significantly, in OSA patients (7.11 +/- 3.01 cm H2O/liter/second) than in HS (4.80 +/- 2.83 cm H2O/liter/second). We conclude that: 1) Snoring is characterized by high frequency oscillations of the soft palate, pharyngeal walls, epiglottis and tongue. 2) Flow limitation appears to be a sine qua non for snoring during sleep. 3) The pattern of snoring is different in OSA and HS. 4) Pharyngeal size during snoring is probably larger in HS than in OSA patients.

Adult

Pattern of simulated snoring is different through mouth and nose.

Cineradiography of the pharynx during simulated snoring was done in 6 healthy volunteers, and supraglottic pressure and flow rate were recorded in 12 others. We observed, immediately before snoring, a decrease in the sagittal diameter of the oropharynx followed, during snoring, by high-frequency oscillations of soft palate and pharyngeal walls. The pattern of soft palate oscillations was different while snoring through the nose or mouth. During inspiratory snoring through the nose, the soft palate remained in close contact with the back of the tongue and only the uvula presented high-frequency oscillations. Snoring through the mouth resulted in ample high-frequency oscillations of the whole soft palate. Frequency of airflow and supraglottic pressure oscillations was less (P less than 0.05) during mouth (28.2 +/- 7.5 Hz) than during nasal snoring (77.8 +/- 36.7 Hz). This difference may be related to the smaller oscillating mass (i.e., uvula) during nasal snoring. At variance with our previous data, which showed that snoring during sleep, in both heavy (nonapneic) snorers and obstructive sleep apnea patients, was systematically preceded by flow limitation, this was not true during simulated snoring.

Adult

Hypopharyngeal and neck cross-sectional changes monitored by inductive plethysmography.

We present a method to assess cross-sectional area (CSA) changes of the extrathoracic airways (EA) by using an inductive plethysmograph (IP) band placed around the upper part of the neck. Measurements of mouth pressure (Pm) (or flow rate, V) and neck CSA changes during respiratory efforts against a high (or infinite) resistance have shown a highly significant relationship between Pm changes (or V changes, respectively), reflecting CSA changes of the EA and CSA changes of the neck. Simultaneous measurements of CSA of the neck (by IP) and of EA (by computerized tomography) during sustained inspiratory and expiratory efforts against a closed airway showed a high correlation between changes in the former and latter structures. Changes in CSA of the neck were larger with positive than negative transmural pressures, in keeping with the known larger compliance of this airway during expiration. We found this method helpful to assess the behavior of the EA during obstructive apnea episodes, hypopneas, and snoring.

Adult

Effects of two inotropic drugs, dopamine and dobutamine, on pulmonary gas exchange in artificially ventilated patients.

The inotropic agents, dopamine (DP) and dobutamine (DB), both decrease PaO2, probably by a redistribution of the VA/Q ratio. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of both drugs on the VA/Q ratio, using the multiple inert gas elimination method. Ten artificially ventilated patients (eight males), aged 45-74 years were investigated. Blood gases, cardiac output and concentrations of inert gases were measured before and 30 min after infusion of DB or DP. DP and DB were administered alternatively at a rate of 5 micrograms.k-1 min-1. The decrease in PaO2 was significantly greater with DP (12 +/- 9 torr) than with DB (7 +/- 9 torr) (P less than 0.01). Both drugs similarly increased cardiac output: +2.61.min-1 +/- 1.4 for DP and 2.21.min-1 +/- 1.5 for DB. Both DP and DB significantly (P less than 0.01) increased the perfusion of alveoli with VA/Q = 0 (+4 +/- 7% for DP and +3 +/- 7% for DB) and 0 less than VA/Q less than 0.1 (+11 +/- 8.5% for DP and +5.5 +/- 10.5% for DB) (no significant difference between the drugs). When shunt and "shunt-like" effect are considered together, there was a significantly greater increase in the amount of blood going to alveoli with a low VA/Q ratio with DP compared to DB. Both drugs decreased the perfusion of alveoli with 0.1 less than VA/Q less than 10, but the decrease was significantly less for DB than for DP (-15 +/- 6.5% for DP and -8.5 +/- 7% for DB, p less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged

Pulmonary gas exchange during graded exercise in normal, sedentary, non-smoking subjects.

There is some discordance in the literature on the evolution of the alveolo-arterial oxygen tension difference (A-a)DO2 from rest (R) to graded exercise (E) in healthy subjects. For some authors and not for others (A-a)DO2 increased during exercise. In order to solve this problem we have examined 9 healthy, non-smoking sedentary students (5 males). In every subject PaO2 increased from rest to the highest level of exercise. (A-a)DO2 significantly increased from R and E1 to E2 and from E3 to E4. (A-a)DO2 at rest was 7.5 +/- 4.1 torr; at E1: 7.0 +/- 4.3 torr; at E2: 11.5 +/- 4.2 torr; at E3: 12.5 +/- 3.9 torr; and at E4: 16.5 +/- 4.3 torr. The oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve (ODC) was significantly shifted to the right from 53 to 92% saturation. This shift favours the liberation of O2 from hemoglobin to the tissues but cannot explain the evolution of (A-a)DO2. We believe that the increase in (A-a)DO2 is due to an increased maldistribution of the ventilation-perfusion ratio.

Adult

Frequency dependence of respiratory resistance in healthy children.

We measured in 130 (61 girls) children aged 3--14 yr respiratory resistance (Rrs), with the oscillation technique, between 4 and 9 Hz. Rrs, at both 4 and 9 Hz, decreased as a function of height (r = 0.74, P less than 0.001). No statistical difference was found between boys and girls. Frequency dependence of resistance (Rrs 4 Hz-Rrs 9 Hz) was found in children at all ages, and decreased with increasing height (r = 0.50, P less than 0.001). We suggest that frequency dependence of resistance in children can be explained on the basis of an increased peripheral resistance, which produces an asynchronous distribution of tidal volume between dead space and lung parenchyma. During growth peripheral resistance decreases and Rrs bcome less frequency dependent to reach at about 15--16 yr independency of frequence.

Adult

Constancy of effort and variability of maximal expiratory flow rates.

In 14 normal subjects and in 13 patients with obstructive pulmonary diseases, we studied the variability within an individual of values for the maximal expiratory flow rate (Vmax) recorded simultaneously vs expired pulmonary volume (at the mouth) and vs thoracic volume (measured with a body plethysmograph). We found that the variance of Vmax within an individual at 25, 50, and 75 percent of the expired vital capacity did not differ statistically whether pulmonary volume was the expired or the thoracic gas volume. In ten healthy subjects on two occasions (at an interval of 12 days, on the average), we measured the peak expiratory flow rate and Vmax at different levels of inflation, with respect to either expired or thoracic volume. There was no statistical differences in Vmax between the first and the last day. A larger variability of Vmax measured vs expired volume implies a change in the expiratory effort from one forced expiration to another and a different degree of compression of intrathoracic air. Since this was not the case, we conclude that muscular effort during repeated forced expirations is similar. The good reproducibility of effort explains in great measure the good reproducibility of Vmax.

Adult

Even distribution of 133Xe bolus inhaled at residual volume in healthy subjects.

We selected from among 46 healthy students (22 to 31-yr-old) 7 subjects (group A) in whom the normalized height of phase IV (height of phase IV/phase IIIx100), after inhaling a bolus of He at RV, was very small (10%). We compared them with 6 subjects (group B) selected on the basis of a tall phase IV (78%, A vs. P P less than 0.005). Age and height were comparable, but weight was lower (P less than 0.05) and RV/TLC ratio (but not other spirographic indices) was larger (P less than 0.025) in group A. The average amplitude of cardiac oscillations was 4 times higher in group B (P less than 0.005). He closing volume, but not closing capacity was less in group A (P less than 0.05). A bolus of 133Xe inhaled at RV was nearly uniformly distributed in group A while producing a large vertical gradient in group B. The difference between groups A and B may reflect a difference in the mechanical properties of the chest wall leading to a less complete empting of the lung in the former group.

Adult

Difference between the He bolus and N2 technique for measuring closing volume.

We measured closing volume in sixteen healthy subjects simultaneously and separately with a bolus of He (using a rapid catharaometer) and with the N2 technique. In another group of 35 active workers (some with airway obstruction), closing volume was measured separately with those two methods. In both groups the He closing volume was significantly higher than the N2 closing volume. We attribute this difference to a less marked vertical N2 concentration gradient, leading to a less clearly defined separation between phase III and IV and resulting in an underestimation of the N2 closing volume. Indeed, increasing the N2 gradient in the lung, by inspiring O2 from a higher than residual volume level, increased the N2 closing volume which became comparable to the He closing volume. We also found, for both He and N2 tracings, a significant between-observers difference in reading of the closing volume. However, the difference in reading of ts difference in reading of the closing volume. However, the difference was less important for He closing volumes. We conclude that the bolus method improves the resolution of closing volume and decreases the interobserver variability.

Adult

A modified measurement of respiratory resistance by forced oscillation during normal breathing.

We have modified the measurements of the resistance of the respiratory system, Rrs, by the forced oscillation technique and we have developed equipment to automatically compute Rrs. Flow rate and mouth pressure are treated by selective averaging filters that remove the interference of the subject's respiratory flow on the imposed oscillations. The filtered mean Rrs represents a weighted ensemble average computer over both inspiration and expiration. This method avoids aberrant Rrs values, decreases the variability, and yields an unbiased mean Rrs. Rrs may be measured during slow or rapid spontaneous breathing, in normals and in obstructive patients, over a range of 3-9 Hz. A good reproducibility of Rrs at several days' interval was demonstrated. Frequency dependence of Rrs was found in patients with obstructive lung disease but not in healthy nonsmokers.

Airway Resistance

Smoking and pulmonary diffusing capacity.

The pulmonary diffusing capacity (DLCO SB) and its two components, the capillary blood volume (Vc) and the diffusing capacity of the membrane (DMCO), expressed in absolute values and per litre of alveolar volume (VA'), were measured at rest and on exercise in healthy male smokers and nonsmokers of similar age and height, and with identical values for haemoglobin and spirographic data. DLCO, DLCO/VA', DMCO and DMCO/VA' are significantly lower in smokers, at rest and on exercise; the decrease in Vc and thetaVc/VA' in smokers at rest is due to a higher level of carboxyhaemoglobin. The decrease of DLCO, DLCO/VA', DMCO and DMCO/VA' is apparently not due to carboxyhaemoglobin or distributional factors but to anatomical lesions, probably of emphysematous nature, altering the pulmonary membrane. Formulas predicting DLCO, DMCO, Vc, DLCO/VA', DMCO/VA' and thetaVc/VA' in terms of age and height were established in smokers and in nonsmokers.

Adult

Pulmonary gas exchange in asymptomatic smokers and nonsmokers.

Pulmonary gas exchange has been studied in 14 healthy smokers and 16 healthy nonsmokers (mean age: 36 years) breathing hypoxic, normoxic and hyperoxic gas mixtures, in a sitting position, at rest and on exercise. Alveolar-arterial oxygen tension difference is increased in smokers in hypoxia, at rest and on exercise, and the pulmonary diffusing capacity for oxygen is decreased. In normoxia the alveolar-arterial oxygen tension difference is increased on exercise. There is no difference between the two groups in hyperoxia. For the whole group there exists a negative relationship between (A-a)DO2 in normoxia and the diffusion indices measured on exercise. Arterio-alveolar carbon dioxide tension difference and the ratio physiological dead space/tidal volume are almost identical in both groups in any condition. A diffusion defect seems to be the more constant alteration of gas exchange in asymptomatic smokers.

Adult

Pulmonary diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide in simple coal workers' pneumoconiosis.

The lung diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO single-breath) and its two components, the capillary blood volume (Vc) and the diffusing capacity of the membrane (DMCO) were measured at rest in 43 miners and 141 control subjects, the values in whom enabled reference formulae to be established; in 30 control subjects and in the majority of the miners these indices were measured during exercise. The main results are as follows: the diffusion indices are on average slightly decreased in simple coal workers' pneumoconiosis; both DMCO and Vc contribute to the lowering of DLCO, at rest and during exercise; individually Vc is more often significantly altered than DMCO; on effort the percentage increase of DLCO is normal in coal miners; the data during exercise suggest that smoking habit contributes more to lowering DLCO than does pneumoconiosis itself; lastly the diffusion indices are lower in miners with "pin-head" than those with micronodular opacities: this tendency is more pronounced during exercise. These findings are discussed.

Adult

Blood gases in simple coal workers' pneumoconiosis.

Pulmonary gas exchange was measured at rest and during exercise in 30 normal males (14 smokers) and 43 coal workers free of obstructive syndrome, at three levels of oxygenation: hypoxia, normoxia and hyperoxia. The main results are the following: a) in normoxia PaO2 and (A--a)DO2 are slightly abnormal in coal workers at rest and during exercise; b) in hyperoxia (A--a)DO2 and venous admixture are higher in the miners at rest but not during exercise; c) in hypoxia (A--a)DO2 and DLO2 are abnormal in miners as compared with the control subjects; during exercise there is however no difference between the miners and the smokers of the control subjects; d) there is a correlation between PaO2 and (A--a)DO2 during exercise in normoxia and the various diffusion indices; e) (a--A)DCO2 and VD/VT show relatively slight increases in the miners; f) there are several differences between the miners with pin-head images and those with micronodular ones; g) at rest, (a--A)DCO2 and VD/VT are influenced by the degree of oxygenation. These various findings are discussed.

Carbon Dioxide