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Biomedical subjects

F Maltais

Publications and source records attributed to F Maltais.

52 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Comparison of static and dynamic measurements of intrinsic PEEP in anesthetized cats.

Dynamic measurements of intrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEPi,dyn) considerably underestimate values obtained under static conditions (PEEPi,stat) in patients with severe airway obstruction. This may be related to regional differences in respiratory system mechanical properties and/or viscoelastic behavior. To evaluate this concept, PEEPi,stat and PEEPi,dyn were compared in six anesthetized paralyzed cats during dynamic hyperinflation produced by inverse ratio ventilation (IRV) and aerosolized methacholine (MCh). PEEPi,stat did not differ between IRV and MCh, averaging 2.70 +/- 0.33 (SE) and 2.70 +/- 0.25 cmH2O, respectively. PEEPi,dyn was significantly less with MCh (0.25 +/- 0.05 cmH2O) than IRV (2.05 +/- 0.28 cmH2O) (P < 0.0001), resulting in a lower PEEPi,dyn/PEEPi,stat ratio for MCh (0.10 +/- 0.02) than for IRV (0.76 +/- 0.03) (P < 0.0001). Compared with control values (33.5 +/- 3.7 cmH2O.l-1.s), maximum resistance (Rmax) was unchanged during IRV (29.1 +/- 2.1 cmH2O.l-1.s) but increased considerably with MCh (288.8 +/- 18.4 cmH2O.l-1.s) (P < 0.0001). Similar changes in minimum resistance (Rmin) and delta R (Rmax-Rmin) were noted. There was a strong inverse relationship between delta P, an index of time constant inequalities and viscoelastic pressure losses and PEEPi,dyn/PEEPi,stat ratio. No correlation was found between this ratio and Rmax, Rmin, delta R, or compliance. In conclusion, PEEPi,dyn considerably underestimates PEEPi,stat in acute nonhomogeneous airway obstruction with MCh in contrast to IRV, where the magnitude and distribution of mechanical properties remain unaltered. These findings support the concept that the difference between PEEPi,dyn and PEEPi,stat is related to regional time constant inequalities and/or increased viscoelastic pressure losses.

Airway Obstruction↗
PubMed1994

Influence of site of tracheal pressure measurement on in situ estimation of endotracheal tube resistance.

In situ measurement of distal tracheal pressure (Ptr) via an intraluminal side-hole catheter (IC) has been used to determine endotracheal tube (Rett) and intrinsic patient (Rpt) resistances in intubated subjects. Because of differences in cross-sectional area between the endotracheal tube (ETT) and trachea, fluid dynamic principles predict that IC position should critically influence these results. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of IC position on Rett. Ptr was recorded in vitro through an IC from 2 cm inside, at the tip of, or 2 cm outside an ETT (7, 8, and 9 mm ID) situated within an artificial trachea (13, 18, and 22 mm ID). A reference value of Rett was also obtained. Results were unaffected by IC position during inspiration, overestimating Rett by 7.9 +/- 0.7% (SE). In contrast, during expiration, Rett fell as IC position changed from outside to inside the ETT and was underestimated by 41.3 +/- 3.6% with Ptr recorded inside the ETT. Varying ETT or tracheal size had little effect on the relative error in Rett. The IC itself did increase Rett due to a reduction in effective cross-sectional area, the change varying directly with IC size and inversely with ETT caliber. In vivo values in 11 intubated patients were comparable to in vitro results. In summary, IC position and size can have important consequences on in situ measurements of Ptr and should be considered when clinically monitoring Rett or Rpt.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Comparison of static and dynamic measurements of intrinsic PEEP in mechanically ventilated patients.

Intrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEPi) is routinely determined under static conditions by occluding the airway at end-expiration (PEEPi,stat), the resulting plateau pressure representing the average PEEPi present within a nonhomogeneous lung. In contrast, PEEPi can also be evaluated dynamically (PEEPi,dyn) by recording the change in pressure required to initiate lung inflation. It has been suggested that PEEPi,dyn reflects the lowest regional PEEPi, and therefore underestimates PEEPi,stat in the presence of heterogenous mechanical properties. The purposes of this study were (1) to compare PEEPi obtained with these two methods in mechanically ventilated patients with significant airway obstruction (AWO) and those without (non-AWO), and (2) to relate any discrepancies observed with other indices of respiratory mechanics. PEEPi,stat, PEEPi,dyn, and respiratory mechanics were measured during controlled mechanical ventilation in 22 sedated, paralyzed patients. PEEPi,dyn was significantly less than PEEPi,stat in AWO, averaging 3.0 +/- 0.5 (SEM) and 9.3 +/- 1.1 (SEM) cm H2O, respectively (p < 0.0001). In contrast, these values were more comparable in non-AWO, averaging 4.6 +/- 0.8 and 5.4 +/- 1.0 cm H2O (p > 0.05). As a result, the ratio of PEEPi,dyn to PEEPi,stat amounted to 0.36 +/- 0.06 for AWO compared with 0.87 +/- 0.05 in non-AWO (p < 0.005). Maximal (Rmax) and minimal (Rmin) respiratory resistance were greater in AWO whereas respiratory compliance (Crs) was no different between groups. PEEPi,dyn/PEEPi,stat was inversely related to delta P, the pressure losses attributable to time constant inequalities and viscoelastic tissue properties (r = 0.64, p < 0.005). No correlation was found between this ratio and Rmax, Rmin, or Crs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Respiratory mechanics in status asthmaticus. Effects of inhalational anesthesia.

The incidence and severity of bronchial asthma has increased considerably in recent years. As a result, the number of patients requiring mechanical ventilation and more intensive medical therapy for treatment of refractory asthma has also increased. Despite this, available information concerning the quantitative changes in respiratory mechanics and the response to treatment that occur in such patients is limited. The present study describes the abnormalities in respiratory mechanics and the response to isoflurane anesthesia observed in three adults mechanically ventilated for treatment of status asthmaticus. Airway pressure, flow, and volume were measured during controlled mechanical ventilation in which the airway was periodically occluded in order to determine respiratory system mechanics. In two patients, the volume of hyperinflation and expiratory volume-flow relationship were also obtained. Inspiratory and expiratory indices of respiratory resistance were markedly abnormal. These abnormalities were associated with significant dynamic hyperinflation and high levels of intrinsic PEEP. Expiratory flow limitation was also identified in two patients by failure of low levels of applied positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) to alter the expiratory volume-flow relationship. Indices of respiratory resistance as well as the magnitude of dynamic hyperinflation and intrinsic PEEP improved considerably with isoflurane administration, after having been refractory to intensive conventional bronchodilator therapy. In summary, these results demonstrate the severity of abnormalities in respiratory mechanics present in ventilated patients with status asthmaticus and the potential therapeutic efficacy of inhalational anesthesia in this setting.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Cephalometric measurements in snorers, non-snorers, and patients with sleep apnoea.

Cephalometry is often used to assess patients with sleep apnoea but whether these measurements differ from those in non-apnoeic snorers and how they are influenced by age is not clear. Cephalometric radiographs of patients with sleep apnoea were compared with those of snorers without sleep apnoea and those of non-snorers. Fifty two snorers with suspected sleep apnoea had a conventional sleep study and were divided into two groups: those with an apnoea-hypopnoea index greater than 10/h (n = 40, sleep apnoea group) and those whose apnoea-hypopnoea index was 10/h or less (n = 12, snorer group). The cephalometric measurements in these patients were compared with those of 34 non-snoring control subjects. Controls were subdivided into two groups: control group 1 included 17 subjects similar in age to the sleep apnoea and snorer groups (mean (SD) age 50.0 (10.9), 50.7 (9.4), and 50.6 (9.7) years); control group 2 included 15 young men (25.4 (2.6) years). The distance from the mandibular plane to the hyoid bone (MP-H) and the length of the soft palate were greater in the patients with sleep apnoea (28.7 (7.8) and 43.6 (5.0) mm) than in the snorers (23.7 (4.2) and 40.3 (4.9 mm). The MP-H was similar in snorers and age matched control subjects, but was significantly greater in the older than in the younger control subjects (22.1 (6.1) vs 17.0 (6.8]. The soft palate was longer in subjects who snored (both sleep apnoea patients and snorers) than in control subjects. The MP-H distance significantly correlated with age for all subjects (snorers and controls) and for the control subjects alone. This study shows that non-apnoeic snorers have cephalometric abnormalities that differ from those of patients with sleep apnoea and that cephalometric values are influenced by the subject's age.

Anthropometry↗
PubMed1991

Changes in upper airway resistance during progressive normocapnic hypoxia in normal men.

The effects of normocapnic progressive hypoxia on nasal and pharyngeal resistances were evaluated in nine normal men. To calculate resistances, upper airway pressures were measured with two low-bias flow catheters; one was placed at the tip of the epiglottis and the other in the posterior nasopharynx, and we measured flow with a Fleish no. 3 pneumotachograph connected to a tightly fitting mask. Both resistances were obtained during a baseline period and during progressive normocapnic hypoxia achieved by a rebreathing method. We collected the breath-by-breath values of upper airway resistances, minute ventilation, O2 and CO2 fractions, arterial O2 saturation (SaO2), and changes in functional residual capacity (inductance vest). The central respiratory drive was evaluated by the mouth occlusion pressure 0.1 s after the onset of inspiration (P0.1), and breath-by-breath P0.1 values were estimated by intrapolation from the linear relationship between P0.1 and SaO2. In each subject both resistances decreased during the hypoxic test. The slope of the decrease in resistance with decreasing SaO2 (%baseline/%SaO2) was steeper for pharyngeal resistance than for nasal resistance [2.67 +/- 0.29 and 1.61 +/- 0.25 (SE), respectively; P less than 0.05]. The slope of the decrease in resistance with increasing P0.1 (%baseline/cmH2O) was -0.24 +/- 0.05 for nasal resistance and -0.39 +/- 0.07 for pharyngeal resistance (P less than 0.05). Functional residual capacity progressively increased during the test, but the decrease in resistance was greater than expected from an isolated increase in lung volume. We conclude that nasal and pharyngeal resistances decrease during progressive normocapnic hypoxia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Airway Resistance↗
PubMed1991

Influence of progressive and of transient hypoxia on upper airway resistance in normal humans.

In order to evaluate the influence of hypoxia on upper airway patency, we measured the response of upper airway resistance (UAR) to progressive (P) normocapnic hypoxia (Rebuck's method) and transient (T) hypoxia (three to five breaths to 100% N2) in 11 normal men. Breath-by-breath inspiratory UAR was calculated at isoflow during exclusive nasal breathing. The UAR response to hypoxia was characterized by the changes in nasal resistance and pharyngeal resistance (PR) as a function of SaO2, mean inspiratory flow (VT/Tl), and changes in the end-expiratory lung volume (EELV) measured with an inductance vest. The ventilatory response to hypoxia was greater during T (-0.31 +/- 0.03 L/min/%SaO2; mean +/- SEM) than during P (-0.27 +/- 0.03 L/min/%SaO2, p = 0.05). UAR decreased as SaO2 decreased; this decrease was steeper during T than during P hypoxia (delta PR/%SaO2: 3.9 +/- 0.5 during P and 2.5 +/- 0.2 during T, p = 0.05). For the whole group, there was no difference in the slope of the decrease in UAR with increasing VT/Tl between the two hypoxic tests (delta PR/delta VT/Tl: -0.85 +/- 0.1 during P and -0.70 +/- 0.1 during T, p greater than 0.05). However, in four subjects, the slope of the relationship PR/VT/Tl during T remained steeper than during P. EELV increased as SaO2 decreased, with a greater increase during progressive than during transient hypoxia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Redistribution of regional and organ blood volume and effect on cardiac function in relation to upright exercise intensity in healthy human subjects.

To determine the effect of relative exercise intensity on organ blood volume and its relation to cardiac function, changes in relative blood volume and cardiac function were monitored with radionuclide techniques in 14 healthy volunteers. After labeling the subject's red cells with technetium 99m, we acquired data at rest, zero-load cycling, and at 50%, 75%, and 100% of maximal oxygen uptake. From rest to zero-load cycling, leg blood volume decreased 32 +/- 2% (mean +/- SEM), whereas relative end-diastolic blood volume increased 9.6 +/- 1.2%, and lung blood volume increased 18 +/- 2%, suggesting that the lungs may act as a blood volume buffer during periods of acutely increased venous return. With relative increasing exercise, leg blood volume stabilized, and then the blood volume in the abdominal organs decreased, further augmenting cardiopulmonary blood volume; leg blood volume and abdominal blood volume decreased by 23 +/- 2% and 19 +/- 2% from baseline, respectively, whereas thoracic blood volume increased 38 +/- 4%. In the abdomen, large decreases in blood volume were observed in the spleen (46 +/- 2%), kidney (24 +/- 4%), and liver (18 +/- 4%). In contrast, lung blood volume increased 50 +/- 4%, with the upper lung fields increasing more than the lower. Blood sampling revealed an increase in the hematocrit level by 4.3 +/- 0.4 units at peak exercise that paralleled the decrease in splenic blood volume (r2 = -0.64, p less than 0.001), suggesting a role for the spleen in augmenting cardiovascular performance by the release of concentrated red blood cells into general circulation. We conclude that upright exercise results in marked blood volume shifts from the legs and abdominal organs to the heart and lungs in a dynamic process correlating closely with oxygen consumption.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Blood hypereosinophilia in the course of posttraumatic pleural effusion.

We report four cases of posttraumatic pleural effusion associated with blood hypereosinophilia. Three men and one woman were examined at our institution for pleural effusion between 21 and 50 days after a minor thoracic trauma. At their initial examination, the pleural fluid analysis showed, for each subject, a high eosinophilic count (54, 45, 25, and 45 percent, respectively). Blood analysis taken at that time revealed a concomitant increase in the number of peripheral eosinophils (1,078, 3,894, 900, and 2,128 eosinophils per cubic millimeter, respectively). For each subject, there was no evidence of past or current allergy or of systemic disease that could be associated with hypereosinophilia. We observed a parallel regression of the pleural effusion and of the number of blood eosinophils in each case. Only when the pleural effusion completely cleared did the blood eosinophilia return to normal. We conclude that posttraumatic pleural effusion may cause a striking blood eosinophilia and that a persistently elevated number of blood eosinophils suggests the nonresolution of the pleural effusion.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: capillarity and fiber-type characteristics of skeletal muscle.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this investigation was to compare capillarity and fiber type proportions of the vastus lateralis muscle between patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and healthy subjects. METHODS: Fifteen male subjects were included in the study (8 COPD: 61.0 +/- 1.8 years [mean +/- SEM]; forced expiratory volume in 1 second 42.0 +/- 2.1% predicted; 7 N: age 54.0 +/- 1.1). Subjects were submitted to a symptom-limited maximal exercise test on ergocycle. After a transcutaneous biopsy of the vastus lateralis muscle, sections were cut 8 to 10 microns thick and stained with the Andersen method for capillarity and Stevens method for fiber typing. RESULTS: Patients with COPD had a decrease in peak oxygen consumption compared with healthy subjects (1.2 +/- 0.1 versus 3.0 +/- 0.2 L/min). Number of capillaries per square millimeter was lower in patients with COPD versus healthy subjects (92.6 +/- 16.1 and 213.3 +/- 33.5, P < 0.001); percentages of fiber types were 43.5 +/- 5.5% type I, 56.5 +/- 5.5% type II in COPD, and 56.7 +/- 3.4% type I, 43.2 +/- 3.4% type II in healthy subjects (P < 0.05). In addition, capillaries/fiber ratio was 0.83 +/- 0.05 in COPD, and 1.56 +/- 0.10 in healthy subjects (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: As expected, patients with COPD showed a decrease in exercise capacity. The muscle analysis results indicate that patients with COPD have a greater proportion of type II fibers and a much lower capillaries/fiber ratio than normal subjects. We conclude that COPD adversely affects fiber type and capillarization of the lower limbs. This could be partly caused by deconditioning in these patients.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Feasibility and efficacy of home exercise training before lung volume reduction.

BACKGROUND: Exercise training is recommended before lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) in patients with emphysema. Unfortunately, many of these patients are referred from remote areas where there is no available rehabilitation program. The authors evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of a minimally supervised home-based exercise training program. METHODS: Twenty-three emphysematous patients (age 61 +/- 6, forced expiratory volume in 1 second = 29 +/- 7% predicted [mean +/- SD]) were recruited from our LVRS program. Measurements of pulmonary function, maximal and submaximal exercise capacity, 6-minute walking distance (6-MWD), muscle strength, and quality of life with the Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire were obtained before and after training. Home-based exercise training program included muscle exercises and aerobic training, and started with detailed teaching while the follow-up was ensured through weekly phone calls and a diary filled by each patient. RESULTS: Significant increases in 6-MWD (P < 0.001), quality of life (P < 0.005), peak work rate (P < 0.05), peak oxygen consumption (P < 0.05), endurance time (P < 0.005), and muscle strength were observed in the home-based exercise training program. CONCLUSIONS: Home-based exercise training for patients in preparation for LVRS was feasible, and induced significant improvement in exercise tolerance and quality of life.

Exercise↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Prevalence of depressive symptoms and depression in patients with severe oxygen-dependent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

PURPOSE: To measure the prevalence rate of significant depressive symptoms and depression and examine their consequences on quality of life in patients with severe oxygen-dependent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: Between November 1997 and March 1998, the authors conducted a cross-sectional study among the COPD patients registered at the Quebec City area respiratory home care service. Depression and quality of life were assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale and the Medical Outcome Survey--Short Form 36 (SF-36). RESULTS: 109 patients (63 men; mean age: 71) with severe COPD (median FEV1: 34%) were surveyed. Of them, 105 were on long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT), which had been introduced (median) 19 months earlier. Sixty-two patients (57%; 95% Cl: 47-66) demonstrated significant depressive symptoms; in addition, 20 patients (18%; Cl: 12-27) were severely depressed. Only 6% of those patients who met the criteria for depression were taking an antidepressant drug. We found significant and moderate correlations between the scores obtained from the Geriatric Depression Scale and 7 of the 8 domains of the SF-36. CONCLUSION: Significant depressive symptoms and depression are highly prevalent in patients with severe COPD on LTOT. There is strong evidence that depression is under-recognized and under-treated in this group of patients.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Proportional assist ventilation may improve exercise performance in severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

PURPOSE: Exercise tolerance is impaired in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), in part because of a reduction in ventilatory capacity and excessive dyspnea experienced. The authors reasoned that proportional assist ventilation (PAV), a ventilator mode in which the level of support varies proportionately with patient effort, could be used during exercise to assist ventilation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of PAV to improve exercise endurance and related physiologic parameters in COPD. METHODS: In 8 patients (age = 62.8 years mean, +/- 6.9 standard deviation) with severe COPD (forced expiratory volume in 1 second = 0.70 +/- 0.21 L) flow, volume, dyspnea, leg fatigue, arterial blood gases, and gas exchange were measured during constant workrate exercise (37 +/- 18 watts; i.e., 80% previously determined maximum oxygen consumption). Crossover exercise trials were performed in random order: while spontaneously breathing through the experimental circuit without assistance (control trial) and with PAV (using 9.8 +/- 2.1 cm H2O/L and 3.3 +/- 1.0 cm H2O/L/sec of volume assist and flow assist, respectively). RESULTS: The application of PAV during exercise was well tolerated by each subject. Compared with the control measurement at equivalent time during exercise, PAV improved breathing pattern and arterial blood gases while dyspnea was reduced. Consequently, there was a significant increase in exercise duration with PAV (323 +/- 245 seconds during the control trial compared with 507 +/- 334 seconds with PAV, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Proportional assist ventilation can improve performance during constant workrate exercise in severe COPD.

Carbon Dioxide↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Clinical, physiological and radiological features of asthma with incomplete reversibility of airflow obstruction compared with those of COPD.

OBJECTIVES: To compare clinical features, pulmonary function and high-resolution computed chest tomography (HRCT) findings of asthmatic patients with a component of incomplete reversibility of airflow obstruction (AIRAO) with those of patients with smoking-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: Thirteen patients with COPD (six males and seven females, mean age 59 years, mean smoking 50.5 pack-years) and 14 patients with AIRAO (six males and eight females, mean age 52 years) despite optimal treatment, with no significant smoking history (mean 1.5 pack-years) and no significant environmental exposure or any other respiratory disease, were studied. Patients had respiratory questionnaires, pulmonary function tests, allergy skin-prick tests and an HRCT to evaluate possible parenchymal or bronchial abnormalities. Eight patients in each group also had exercise tests. All patients were stable at the time of the study. RESULTS: As expected, atopy was more prevalent in AIRAO (n=13) than in COPD (n=1) patients. Mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (percentage of predicted value) were 39% and 61%, respectively, in COPD patients and 49% and 71%, respectively, in AIRAO patients; FEV1 improved by 18% in COPD patients and and by 22% in AIRAO patients after use of inhaled salbutamol. Mean functional residual capacity was greater in COPD patients than in AIRAO patients (178% versus 144% of the predicted value), while the mean carbon monoxide diffusing capacity of the lungs (DLCO) was lower in COPD patients than in AIRAO patients (62% versus 89% of the predicted value). Exercise tolerance was similar in both groups, as were postexercise changes in arterial oxygen pressure (PaO2). Emphysematous changes were observed in COPD patients and AIRAO patients who had evaluable HRCTs (10 versus two patients, although very mild in asthma), bronchial dilations (zero versus six patients), bronchial wall thickening (two versus eight patients) and an acinar pattern (one versus five patients). Mean thickness of the large airway wall to outer diameter (intermediary bronchus) ratio was 0.176 in COPD and 0.183 in AIRAO (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Asthma may lead to physiological features similar to COPD but may be distinguished by demonstrating a preserved DLCO and a higher ratio of airway to parenchymal abnormalities on HRCT scan.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Randomized trial of paroxetine in end-stage COPD.

BACKGROUND: Although the underlying pathology is initially confined to the lungs, the associated emotional responses to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) contribute greatly to the resulting morbidity. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of an antidepressant drug on disease-specific quality of life in patients with end-stage COPD who present significant depressive symptoms. METHODS: We conducted a 12-week, randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of Paroxetine in which quality of life measured by the Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire (CRQ), an evaluative COPD-specific quality-of-life questionnaire, was the primary outcome. RESULTS: 23 patients were randomized and 15 completed the trial (8 on Paroxetine; 7 on placebo). In the per-protocol analysis, we observed statistically and clinically significant improvements favoring the active treatment in 2 of the 4 domains of the CRQ: emotional function (adjusted mean difference: 1.1; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.0 - 2.2) and mastery (difference: 1.1; CI: 0.4 - 1.8). Dyspnea and fatigue improved, but to an extent that did not reach statistical significance. In the intention-to-treat analysis, none of the differences in CRQ scores was significant. Paroxetine was not associated to any worsening of respiratory symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this small randomized trial indicated that patients with end-stage COPD may benefit from antidepressant drug therapy when significant depressive symptoms are present. This study underlined the difficulties in conducting experimental studies in frail and elderly patients with COPD.

Aged↗