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F Cibella

Publications and source records attributed to F Cibella.

28 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Expiratory timing in obstructive sleep apnoeas.

Diaphragmatic electromyogram was recorded during NREM sleep in 4 patients affected by obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) syndrome in order to evaluate the behaviour of expiratory time (TE) in the course of the obstructive apnoea-ventilation cycle. The two components of TE, i.e. time of post-inspiratory inspiratory activity (TPIIA) and time of expiratory phase 2 (TE2) were separately analysed. TPIIA showed a short duration, with only minor variations, within the apnoea, while its duration was more variable and longer in the interapnoeic periods: the longest TPIIA values were associated with the highest inspiratory volumes in the same breaths. This behaviour seemed regulated according to the need of a more or less effective expiratory flow braking, probably as a result of pulmonary stretch receptors discharge. Conversely TE2 showed a continuous gradual modulation, progressively increasing in the pre-apnoeic period, decreasing during the apnoea and increasing in the post-apnoeic period: these TE2 variations seemed related to oscillations in chemical drive. These data show that TE in the obstructive apnoea-ventilation cycle results from a different modulation in its two components and suggest that both mechanical and chemical influences play a role in its overall duration.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Peak flow records in asthma: evaluation of an algorithm for interpretation of patterns.

The clinical value of serial measurements of peak expiratory flow (PEF) in asthma is well established, but the analysis of the PEF records is not standardized. We developed an algorithm for interpretation of PEF, based upon the characteristic features of chronic airflow limitation, and retrospectively analysed the PEF of fifty outpatients affected by non-seasonal asthma. For each patient we correlated the developed indices of evolution of PEF with, respectively, the severity of asthma (evaluated in terms of consumption of drugs), forced expiratory volume in one second and with the trend of the indices over several months. The developed indices were well correlated with the severity score and to a lesser extent to other investigated parameters. These results seem to provide a useful approach to a computerized evaluation of the results of PEF monitoring.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Comparison of the effect of oxitropium bromide and of slow-release theophylline on nocturnal asthma.

The effects of a new inhaled antimuscarinic drug, oxitropium bromide, and of a slow-release theophylline preparation upon nocturnal asthma were compared in a placebo-controlled double-blind study. Two samples were studied: 12 patients received oxitropium at 600 micrograms (6 subjects) or at 400 micrograms t.i.d. (6 subjects) whereas 11 received theophylline at 300 mg b.i.d. Morning dipping, assessed by the fall in peak flow overnight, was significantly reduced in the periods when either active drug was taken, whereas no difference was noticed during the placebo administration. No significant difference was noticed between results obtained with either active drug, as well as with either dosage of oxitropium. No subject reported side effects of oxitropium, as compared to three subjects reporting nausea, vomiting and tremors after theophylline. Oxitropium proves to be a valuable alternative to theophylline in nocturnal asthma, since it is equally potent, safer and does not require the titration of dosage.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Characteristics and prognostic value of morning dipping of peak expiratory flow rate in stable asthmatic subjects.

Characteristics and prognostic relevance of morning dip of peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) were evaluated in stable asthmatic subjects. Among 246 outpatients monitored four times daily for two weeks, 38 (group A) showed a significant difference between morning reading of PEFR and each of the others; they were compared to 38 randomly selected patients (group B) not showing morning dip in PEFR. Less frequent seasonal course, extrinsic pathogenesis, and sensitization to mites characterized group A; starting airflow limitation was more severe in those with morning dip, but no significant difference between mean PEFR measured throughout two weeks was found. At 6 to 12 weeks, morning dip was not found in 19 of 38 subjects in group A and appeared in seven of 38 subjects in group B, with no clearcut relationship to treatment being evident. At 25 to 104 weeks, no significant difference between therapeutic requirements and the forced expiratory volume in one second was detected; therefore, unlike the short-term, morning dip is not a risk factor for worse long-term prognosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Applicability of a simple nasal provocation test in etiologic diagnosis of bronchial asthma.

The applicability of nasal challenge for etiologic diagnosis of extrinsic asthma was evaluated by assessing easiness of performance, precision, and cost of a standardized test by metered nebulizer in 20 asthmatics with and without concurrent rhinitis submitted also to skin prick tests and RAST. Although less sensitive than in the group with rhinitis (where precision was 90.4%), the nasal provocation test proved to be an easy, inexpensive, and specific (82.3%) means for contributing to the identification of allergic sensitization in patients affected by asthma alone.

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed1984

Variability of peak expiratory flow rate as a prognostic index in asymptomatic asthma.

The prognostic relevance of an enhanced variability of peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) throughout the day was evaluated in asthmatics in remission: it was expressed as the coefficient of variation (CV) of values recorded 4 times daily for 2 weeks. Outcome at 3, 6, and 12 months was assessed in 2 groups of 16 patients each, differing because of a CV respectively higher (group A) and lower (group B) than 8%. A significantly higher frequency of abnormal PEFR values during the subsequent 3 months was recorded in patients of group A, and found as correlated to the magnitude of CV; in the same group a significantly worse clinical status--scored on the basis of response to treatment--was pointed out. Therefore, a high CV of PEFR may be assumed as a reliable indicator of the risk of exacerbation--not otherwise predictable--both in a short and a longer term; on this basis home monitoring of PEFR may be recommended as a useful tool in the evaluation of all the cases of asthma in remission.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Obesity as a possible cause of respiratory failure in bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis. Case report.

An obese woman with respiratory failure and bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis, was studied in order to investigate the effects of weight loss on respiratory function during wakefulness and sleep. The patient was studied on 5 different occasions during which diurnal blood gas analysis, spirometry, CO2 rebreathing test, nitrogen wash-out test and a nocturnal polysomnographic study were performed. The follow-up period lasted 9 months, during which the patient progressively lost 19 kg. Progressive improvement in awake blood gas tensions (PaO2 + 21 mmHg, PaCO2 - 16 mmHg) as well as in nocturnal oxyhemoglobin saturation and transcutaneous PCO2 were observed; at the same time only minor changes in responsiveness to CO2 and in lung volumes were found. Conversely alveolar efficiency for CO2, obtained with the nitrogen wash-out test, in the supine posture increased from 81.7 to 90.5%, indicating an improvement in ventilation/perfusion ratio as a possible determinant of blood gas tension improvement during wakefulness and, as a consequence, also during sleep. We conclude that obesity is one possible cause of the occurrence of respiratory failure in bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis.

Adult↗