PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

D R Hillman

Publications and source records attributed to D R Hillman.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

High-intensity inspiratory muscle training in COPD.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of an interval-based high-intensity inspiratory muscle training (H-IMT) programme on inspiratory muscle function, exercise capacity, dyspnoea and health-related quality of life (QoL) in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A double-blind randomised controlled trial was performed. Sixteen subjects (11 males, mean forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)) 37.4+/-12.5%) underwent H-IMT performed at the highest tolerable inspiratory threshold load (increasing to 101% of baseline maximum inspiratory pressure). Seventeen subjects (11 males, mean FEV(1 )36.5+/-11.5%) underwent sham inspiratory muscle training (S-IMT) at 10% of maximum inspiratory pressure. Training took place three times a week for 8 weeks and was fully supervised. Pre- and post-training measurements of lung function, maximum inspiratory pressure, maximum threshold pressure, exercise capacity, dyspnoea and QoL (Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire; CRDQ) were obtained. H-IMT increased maximum inspiratory pressure by 29%, maximum threshold pressure by 56%, 6-min walk distance by 27 m, and improved dyspnoea and fatigue (CRDQ) by 1.4 and 0.9 points per item, respectively. These changes were significantly greater than any seen following S-IMT. In conclusion, high-intensity inspiratory muscle training improves inspiratory muscle function in subjects with moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, yielding meaningful reductions in dyspnoea and fatigue.

Aged↗

The effect of interstate travel on sleep patterns of elite Australian Rules footballers.

The purpose of the current study was to examine the effect of interstate air travel on the quality and quantity of sleep in elite Australian Rules football players. Ten elite male athletes, who were members of a Western Australian-based Australian Football League (AFL) team, participated in the study. Sleep pattern was assessed by measuring sleep duration (SLD), sleep efficiency (SE), number of wakings (NW) and total wake time after sleep onset (WT) using a wrist-worn actigraph. Subjective sleep quality (SQ) was assessed using a scale of sleep rating. Throughout the 2002 AFL season, measurements were obtained on the night before (N1), the night of (N2) and the night after (N3) home and away games. Baseline measurements were obtained from five consecutive non-game nights. Compared to baseline, SLD on N1 was increased when home and away (by 51 and 105 mins respectively, p<0.05), while all other measures of sleep pattern were unchanged. On N2, SLD was decreased to a similar degree whether home or away (by 68 and 64 mins respectively, p<0.05), while all other measures of sleep pattern were unchanged. By N3 all measures of sleep pattern had returned to baseline values. Relative to baseline, perception of SQ was worst on N2 of a home game. This study has shown that interstate travel by elite AFL players has no adverse effects on sleep pattern on the night before a game.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

The upper airway during anaesthesia.

Upper airway obstruction is common during both anaesthesia and sleep. Obstruction is caused by loss of muscle tone present in the awake state. The velopharynx, a particularly narrow segment, is especially predisposed to obstruction in both states. Patients with a tendency to upper airway obstruction during sleep are vulnerable during anaesthesia and sedation. Loss of wakefulness is compounded by depression of airway muscle activity by the agents, and depression of the ability to arouse, so they cannot respond adequately to asphyxia. Identifying the patient at risk is vital. Previous anaesthetic history and investigations of the upper airway are helpful, and a history of upper airway compromise during sleep (snoring, obstructive apnoeas) should be sought. Beyond these, risk identification is essentially a search for factors that narrow the airway. These include obesity, maxillary hypoplasia, mandibular retrusion, bulbar muscle weakness and specific obstructive lesions such as nasal obstruction or adenotonsillar hypertrophy. Such abnormalities not only increase vulnerability to upper airway obstruction during sleep or anaesthesia, but also make intubation difficult. While problems with airway maintenance may be obviated during anaesthesia by the use of aids such as the laryngeal mask airway (LMA( dagger )), identification of risk and caution are keys to management, and the airway should be secured before anaesthesia where doubt exists. If tracheal intubation is needed, spontaneous breathing until intubation is an important principle. Every anaesthetist should have in mind a plan for failed intubation or, worse, failed ventilation.

Airway Obstruction↗

Radiographic (ILO) readings predict arterial oxygen desaturation during exercise in subjects with asbestosis.

BACKGROUND: Exercise impairment is common in subjects with asbestosis. Arterial oxygen desaturation during exercise is an important contributor to exercise limitation. The International Labour Office (ILO) classification of plain chest radiographs correlates with resting pulmonary function, but its value in predicting abnormal ventilatory responses to exercise, including desaturation, has not been explored. AIMS: To determine in subjects with asbestosis (1) if radiographic profusion scores and the extent of small irregular shadows on plain chest radiographs correlate with resting lung function and abnormal ventilatory responses to exercise; and (2) if radiographic scores add value to resting lung function tests in predicting abnormal ventilatory responses to exercise. METHODS: Thirty eight male subjects with asbestosis were included. Plain chest radiographs were read according to the ILO classification independently by three observers. All subjects underwent assessment of lung function and an incremental exercise test. RESULTS: Profusion scores and number of affected zones correlated significantly with the percentage predicted values of single breath diffusing capacity (DLCO), forced vital capacity (FVC), and total lung capacity (TLC). Arterial oxygen desaturation occurred in 29% of the subjects. The severity of desaturation correlated significantly with profusion and the number of affected zones. The combined use of number of affected zones, FEV(1)/FVC ratio and DLCO predicted desaturation during exercise with an explained variance of 41%. VO(2)max was significantly related only to DLCO but was not predicted by the ILO score. CONCLUSION: Arterial oxygen desaturation correlated with the profusion and extent of parenchymal abnormality on chest radiographs. The addition of morphological indices to physiological measurements is valuable for predicting oxygen desaturation during exercise but not for VO(2)max. Refinement of the radiographic scoring system and the addition of more sophisticated imaging techniques may further improve the predictive power.

Aged↗

Inspiratory muscle performance in endurance athletes and sedentary subjects.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether whole-body endurance training is associated with increased respiratory muscle strength and endurance. METHODOLOGY: Respiratory muscle strength (maximum inspiratory pressure (PImax)) and endurance (progressive threshold loading of the inspiratory muscles) were measured in six marathon runners and six sedentary subjects. RESULTS: PImax was similar between the two groups of subjects but the maximum threshold pressure achieved was greater in marathon runners (90 +/- 8 vs 78 +/- 10% of PImax, respectively, mean +/- SD, P < 0.05). During progressive threshold loading, marathon runners breathed with lower frequency, higher tidal volume, and longer inspiratory and expiratory time. At maximum threshold pressure, marathon runners had lower arterial O2 saturation, but perceived effort (Borg scale) was maximal in both groups. Efficiency of the respiratory muscles was similar in both groups being 2.0 +/- 1.7% and 2.3 +/- 1.8% for marathon runners and sedentary subjects, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The apparent increase in respiratory muscle endurance of athletes was a consequence of a difference in the breathing pattern adopted during loaded breathing rather than respiratory muscle strength or efficiency. This implies that sensory rather than respiratory muscle conditioning may be an important mechanism by which whole-body endurance is increased.

Adult↗

Anaesthesia and sleep apnoea.

Sleep disordered breathing is a common problem affecting all age groups, particularly in association with certain other medical conditions and syndromes. The pathological consequences of the disorder may be severe, with significant implications for the perioperative management of sufferers. Research into the effects of surgery and anaesthesia on sleep is very much in its infancy. Understanding of the implications of sleep disturbance and sleep disordered breathing for perioperative morbidity and mortality is limited. While several observations have led to considerable speculation in the literature, evidence of a causal relationship is still largely lacking. Anaesthetists are ideally placed to screen large numbers of people for sleep disordered breathing, a source of considerable community morbidity. Recognizing the symptoms, signs and associations of the condition during the preoperative visit is important in planning management, as is recognition of the likelihood of OSA in patients who present difficulty with tracheal intubation or airway maintenance. Particular care is required in the perioperative management of patients with diagnosed or suspected sleep apnoea.

Anesthesia↗

Radiofrequency tissue volume reduction of the soft palate in simple snoring.

BACKGROUND: Snoring is common and often associated with social morbidity. Current therapies are generally unsatisfactory, but radiofrequency tissue volume reduction (RFTVR) palatoplasty offers a new approach. OBJECTIVE: To assess the outcomes and morbidity associated with RFTVR palatoplasty. DESIGN: Open, prospective trial. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: 20 adults with loud habitual snoring without clinically significant obstructive sleep apnea. INTERVENTIONS: Three treatments with RFTVR to the middle, distal, and proximal thirds of the midline of the soft palate. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical assessment (visual analog scores) before and after each treatment, polysomnography (with sound intensity measurements), and lateral cephalometry performed prior to the first treatment and 2 months following the final treatments. RESULTS: After treatment, there was a significant overall improvement in the snoring visual analog score (7.5+/-1.5 to 4.6+/-2.5; P<.001), a small reduction in the proportion of sleep spent snoring at 50 to 60 dB (P = .03), and mild pain that was controlled with simple analgesia. There were no long-term adverse effects. Individual response could not be predicted by demographic, polysomnographic, or cephalometric data. Treatment of the proximal third of the soft palate was associated with fewer adverse effects but also seemed less effective than at the other sites. CONCLUSIONS: (1) The RFTVR palatoplasty is well tolerated with very low morbidity. (2) It is associated with subjective improvement in snoring in most patients. (3) Placement of lesions seems to influence outcome. (4) The improvement is accompanied by a marginal change in objective measurements, suggesting either an acoustic change independent of sound intensity or a placebo effect. (5) A randomized controlled trial is needed to further evaluate this therapy.

Adult↗

Daytime predictors of sleep hypoventilation in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Sleep hypoventilation is an inevitable consequence of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), usually preceding daytime respiratory failure. Appropriate scheduling of polysomnography and the introduction of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) during sleep are not defined. Our aim was to determine the parameters of daytime lung function associated with sleep hypoventilation in patients with DMD. As our method we chose a prospective comparison of wakeful respiratory function (spirometry, lung volumes, maximal mouth pressures, arterial blood gases) with outcomes of polysomnography. All measurements were made with subjects breathing air. Nineteen subjects were studied. The FEV(1) was correlated with Pa(CO(2)) (r = -0.70, p < 0.001) and base excess (r = -0.68, p < 0.01). All of these parameters were significantly related to sleep oxygenation (proportion of total sleep time spent at an Sa(O(2)) </= 90% [TST < 90%]). An FEV(1) < 40% was a sensitive (91%) but not specific (50%) indicator of sleep hypoventilation (TST < 90% of >/= 2%); a Pa(CO(2)) of >/= 45 mm Hg was an equally sensitive (91%) but more specific (75%) indicator while a base excess of >/= 4 mmol/L was highly specific (100%) but less sensitive (55%). After introduction of NIV during sleep (n = 8), there was a significant reduction in wakeful Pa(CO(2)) (54 +/- 7.4 to 49.1 +/- 4 mm Hg, p < 0.02) over 0. 9 +/- 0.4 yr despite a further decline in FEV(1) (0.84 +/- 0.46 to 0. 64 +/- 0.39 L, p < 0.05). We conclude that in patients with DMD, (1) arterial blood gases should be performed once the FEV(1) falls below 40% of the predicted value; (2) polysomnography should be considered when the Pa(CO(2)) is >/= 45 mm Hg, particularly if the base excess is >/= 4 mmol/L; (3) the decrease in wakeful Pa(CO(2)) after NIV administered during sleep implicates sleep hypoventilation in the pathogenesis of respiratory failure; and (4) impaired ventilatory drive is a possible mechanism for respiratory failure, as the NIV-associated decrease in wakeful Pa(CO(2)) occurs despite a further decline in ventilatory capacity, suggesting continuing deterioration in respiratory muscle function.

Adolescent↗

Diaphragm inhibition with positive pressure ventilation: quantification of mechanical effects.

To quantify any mechanical inhibitory effect of nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) on inspiratory activity of the diaphragm we ventilated five conscious relaxed subjects on two occasions at respiratory rates similar to quiet breathing (QB) and at three levels of applied pressure (Pappl)--6, 9 and 12 cmH2O, each during hypocapnia (P(CO2) allowed to decrease) and eucapnia (CO2 added to inspired gas). Diaphragm activity was assessed from transdiaphragmatic pressure (esophageal and gastric balloons) and diaphragm EMG (surface electrodes) both integrated with time (integral(Pdi x dt) and integral(EMGdi x dt), respectively). Neural inspiratory time (Tin) was measured as onset to peak of the integral(EMGdi x dt) signal. Relative to QB, integral(Pdi x dt) was 50-69% less during eucapnic IPPV 6-12 cmH2O (P < 0.005) and 67-85% less during hypocapnic IPPV (P < 0.005). Tin decreased (P < 0.05) with IPPV and, on ceasing IPPV, there was apnoea (prolonged expiratory time) on 23 of 27 occasions; these changes were independent of P(CO2). Integral(EMGdi x dt) decreased (P < 0.05) at Pappl 12 cmH2O during eucapnia and at all Pappl during hypocapnia. The repeatability of integral(EMGdi x dt) was substantially less than integral(Pdi x dt) (F = 42, P << 0.01). We conclude that, during non-invasive IPPV in awake healthy subjects mechanical factors are of major importance in inhibiting inspiratory activity of the diaphragm.

Adult↗

Dental side effects of an oral device to treat snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are common and related conditions--with major social and health implications--which can be treated successfully with dental devices that reposition the mandible. Despite wide use, side effects of these devices have not yet been systematically evaluated. The purpose of the study was to evaluate side effects of a mandibular advancement splint (MAS) previously described by the authors. DESIGN: Questionnaire survey and dental examination of a consecutive case series of patients treated with the MAS SETTING: Dental outpatient clinic PATIENTS: Attempts were made to contact all 191 patients treated over a 5-year period. All had snored loudly and habitually with or without OSA prior to treatment. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Of 191 patients treated, 132 agreed to complete the questionnaire. All were scheduled to attend for dental examination and 106 underwent examination. Of the 132 interviewed, patient and partner report indicated that the device was well tolerated and controlled snoring satisfactorily in 100 after 31 +/- 18 (mean +/- SD) months of use. Dental side effects were reported in 107 patients, although these were mostly minor, and only 10 patients ceased using the device because of them. Side effects included excess salivation (in 40), xerostomia (in 30), temporomandibular joint pain (in 35), dental discomfort (in 35), myofacial discomfort (in 33) and bite changes (in 16). Of 106 patients examined, 30 had increased maximal opening and 76 had no change compared with pretreatment records. Temporomandibular joint noises were found in 9 patients, and occlusal changes (12 m mylar strip and wax bite, relative to pretreatment) in 15. None of these effects could be related to degree of opening or protrusion produced by the MAS. CONCLUSION: Dental side effects occur in a significant proportion of patients using the MAS. In most cases these are minor and their importance must be balanced against the efficacy of the MAS in treating snoring and OSA.

Adult↗

Relationship between difficult tracheal intubation and obstructive sleep apnoea.

The upper airway abnormalities predisposing to difficult tracheal intubation may also predispose to obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). The potential association is important as both conditions increase perioperative risk and patients with a trachea that is difficult to intubate may need assessment for OSA. We determined if patients with difficult intubation are at greater risk of OSA and, if so, whether or not they have characteristic clinical or radiographic upper airway changes. We studied 15 patients in whom the trachea was difficult to intubate and 15 control patients. Each was evaluated clinically (Mallampati score, thyromental distance, neck circumference, head extension), polysomnographically (apnoea-hypoponea index (AHI)) and radiographically (lateral cephalometry). AHI was greater in the difficult intubation group (mean 28.4 (SD 31.7)) compared with controls (5.9 (8.9)) (P < 0.02); eight of 15 patients in the difficult intubation group and two of 15 in the control group had an AHI > 10 (P < 0.03). Difficult intubation, but not OSA, was associated (P < 0.05) with a smaller thyromental distance and mandibular length, and greater soft palate length. Both difficult intubation and OSA were associated (P < 0.05) with a greater Mallampati score, anterior mandibular depth, and smaller mandibular and cervical angles. OSA, but not difficult intubation, was associated (P < 0.05) with increased neck circumference, tongue area and craniocervical angle, and decreased head extension, mandibular ramus length and atlantooccipital distance. We conclude that difficult intubation and OSA are related significantly. They share anatomical features which act to reduce the skeletal confines of the tongue. Patients with OSA may compensate, when awake, by increasing craniocervical angulation, which increases the space between the mandible and cervical spine and elongates the tongue and soft tissues of the neck.

Adult↗

The effects of learning on the ventilatory responses to inspiratory threshold loading.

Progressive threshold loading (PTL) is frequently used to assess inspiratory muscle endurance in health and disease. We and others have noted a systematic increase in endurance with the first few exposures to the task in subjects previously naïve to PTL, which may not be related to conditioning of the muscles themselves. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanisms responsible for this increased endurance by examining the ventilatory responses to 3 PTL tests, each > 24 h apart, in 18 healthy subjects. During PTL, threshold pressure (Pth) was increased by approximately 10% every 2 min until task failure. Subjects were allowed to adopt any breathing pattern. Respiratory muscle strength (maximal inspiratory pressure [PImax]) was unchanged over successive tests while maximal Pth (Pthmax) during PTL increased (69 +/- 17, 77 +/- 16, and 86 +/- 11% of PImax, respectively, p < 0.05) (mean +/- SD), indicating that the increased Pthmax could not be attributed to improved respiratory muscle strength. Breathing pattern changed with successive tests, so that for comparative loads inspiratory time (TI), respiratory frequency (f ), and duty cycle (TI/Ttot) decreased. This change in breathing pattern did not alter respiratory muscle efficiency (respiratory muscle V O2/work), which was similar in each test (2.4 +/- 2.2%), but perceived effort (Borg Score), which was maximal at task failure in each test, decreased at comparative loads with successive tests. Thus, Pthmax during initial tests appeared to be limited by discomfort rather than respiratory muscle function. These findings suggest that the increased Pthmax with successive tests is a consequence of differences in the breathing pattern adopted, reflecting neuropsychological rather than respiratory muscle conditioning. Measurements from PTL should only be used to assess respiratory muscle performance after allowing time for learning.

Adult↗

Application of a cervical stimulating apparatus for bilateral transcutaneous phrenic nerve stimulation.

Transcutaneous bilateral phrenic nerve stimulation (tPNS) is frequently used to assess diaphragmatic function in humans. Commonly, stimulation is performed with hand-held electrodes; however, these are unsuitable for studies requiring repeated PNS and where recruitment of rib cage and neck muscles may shift the probes in relation to the nerves. In this study we describe the design of a cervical neck brace and electrode probes that maintain stimulating electrodes in constant position relative to the phrenic nerves and facilitates studies requiring repeated maximal PNS. The effectiveness of the apparatus was examined by 1) reviewing the reproducibility of the transdiaphragmatic pressure response to 0.1 ms tPNS (PdiT) at relaxed functional residual capacity in four subjects studied on 25 +/- 8 (SD) occasions (> or = 24 h apart) over a 4-yr period, and 2) measuring peak-to-peak amplitude of the left and right diaphragmatic compound muscle action potentials (surface electrodes) during two prolonged studies (38 +/- 9 min) in each subject, when tPNS was performed during repeated submaximal and maximal inspiratory efforts. PdiT was reproducible in each subject when measured repeatedly within a single study [coefficient of variation (CV) of 3.8 +/- 0.8%] and over separate days (CV of 11.5 +/- 3.5%). The peak-to-peak amplitudes of the left and right compound muscle action potentials were also reproducible (CV of 8.4 +/- 4.3 and 8.4 +/- 2.9%, respectively) and independent of the degree of effort. The apparatus appears effective for the maintenance of maximal stimulation under varied conditions for long periods and provides reproducible measurements of PdiT both within and between studies.

Action Potentials↗

Mandibular advancement splint: an appliance to treat snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.

Snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are related to narrowing of the upper airway. A mandibular advancement splint (MAS) could improve both conditions by increasing oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal dimensions. The effects of a MAS on snoring and OSA was evaluated 3.5 +/- 2.1 (mean +/- SD) mo after issue in 57 subjects with habitual loud snoring, 39 of whom had an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) > or = 10. Assessment was by questionnaire (all subjects) and polysomnography (51 subjects, 47 male) including measurement of sound intensity. Use of the MAS was randomized to first or second half of study. Snores were scored where inspiratory noise was greater than 5 dB above background. Total sleep time, sleep efficiency, % REM sleep, and % sleep spent supine were similar (p > 0.05) with and without the MAS. Snores per sleep minute, corrected for time in apnea, and sound intensity of snores (% snores > or = 50 dB) decreased with the MAS from 11.0 +/- 5.8 and 42.0 +/- 25.0% to 9.0 +/- 6.0 (p < 0.01) and 26.2 +/- 25.2% (p < 0.01), respectively. Using the MAS significantly improved OSA: AHI decreased from 32.2 +/- 28.5 to 17.5 +/- 22.7 (p < 0.01) and arousal index decreased from 31.4 +/- 20.6 to 19.0 +/- 14.6 (p < 0.01). AHI decreased to < 20 with the MAS in 12 of 17 subjects where untreated AHI was between 20 and 60, and in 2 of 9 subjects where untreated AHI was > 60. Forty-five patients continued to use the MAS regularly.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

A threshold loading device for testing of inspiratory muscle performance.

Threshold loading is a method of incrementally loading the inspiratory muscles, which requires development of an adjustable threshold pressure (Pth) before air will flow. In the ideal device, flow is independent of pressure once Pth is exceeded. A "weighted plunger" apparatus is commonly used, but devices described previously perform unreliably at high inspiratory load. We have modified this apparatus using the diaphragm and valve seating from a threshold valve used to deliver positive airway pressure (AMBU 10, AMBU International, Denmark) to yield improved pressure-flow characteristics. With this device, there was a linear relationship between Pth and weight on the plunger (r = 0.998), and flow was largely independent of pressure once Pth was exceeded: pressure developed at an inspiratory flow of 1.3 +/- 0.1 l.s-1 was 13.6 +/- 7.0% below Pth. Our modified weighted plunger apparatus allows consistent and reliable threshold loading of inspiratory muscles, even at high inspiratory loads.

Equipment Design↗

Ventilatory responses to inspiratory threshold loading and role of muscle fatigue in task failure.

To examine respiratory muscle recruitment pattern during inspiratory loading and role of fatigue in limiting endurance, we studied seven normal subjects on 17 +/- 6 days during breathing against progressive inspiratory threshold load. Threshold pressure (Pth) was progressively increased 14 +/- 5 cmH2O every 2 min until voluntary cessation (task failure). Subjects could adopt any breathing pattern. Tidal volume (VT), chest wall motion, end-tidal PCO2, and arterial O2 saturation were measured. At moderate loads [50-75% of maximum Pth (Pthmax)], inspiratory time (TI) decreased and VT/TI and expiratory time increased, increasing time for recovery of muscles between inspirations. At high loads (> 75% Pthmax), VT/TI decreased, which, with progressive decrease in end-expiratory lung volume (EELV) throughout, increased potential for inspiratory force development. Progressive hypoxia and hypercapnia occurred at higher work loads. Immediately after task failure all subjects could recover at high loads and still reachieve initial Pthmax on reimposition of progressive loading. Respiratory pressures were measured in subgroup of three subjects: transdiaphragmatic pressure response to 0.1-ms bilateral supramaximal phrenic nerve stimulation at end expiration initially increased with increasing load/decreasing EELV, consistent with increasing mechanical advantage of diaphragm, but decreased at highest loads, suggesting diaphragm fatigue. Full recovery had not occurred at 30 min after task failure. We demonstrated that progressive threshold loading is associated with systematic changes in breathing pattern that act to optimize muscle strength and increase endurance. Task failure occurred when these compensatory mechanisms were maximal. Inspiratory muscles appeared relatively resistant to fatigue, which was late but persistent.

Adult↗