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Biomedical subjects

R O Crapo

Publications and source records attributed to R O Crapo.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Normal spirometric values in healthy American Indians.

Spirometric parameters were measured in 300 healthy, lifetime nonsmoking American Indians. When "best" is defined by the highest correlation coefficient and smallest residual standard deviation, the best prediction equations were linear regression equations using only age and height as the independent variables. Visual comparisons of two-dimensional graphic representations of each predictor in these equations with equations commonly used to predict spirometric variables in white persons revealed no substantial differences. However, statistical comparisons, using an analysis of covariance, with data from a previous study of white persons in our laboratory showed the forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 second equations for Indian men to be different from the equations for white persons. No statistically significant differences were found between the prediction equations for Indian and white women. The meaning of the statistically significant differences is unclear and they may not have any clinical relevance. Until this issue is resolved we recommend that race-specific equations be used when possible.

Adult↗

A decision-driven system to collect the patient history.

We have developed a computer-administered history designed to directly interview hospitalized patients with pulmonary disease. A frame-based decision system is used to direct the history and to generate a one- to five-member differential diagnostic list based on this history. This system incorporates a cognitive model of question selection and a Bayesian scoring algorithm. Structures to control the choice of questions are embedded in the diagnostic frames and in a QUERY program that makes the final choice of questions. We have compared the behavior of this decision-driven approach with a history taken using a paper questionnaire. The paper-based history presents 182 questions to every patient and captured 75% of 85 pulmonary diseases in its differential lists. The decision-driven system asks 50.7 +/- 31.0 (mean +/- standard deviation) and captured 74% of 61 pulmonary diseases. Our experience suggests that the use of a computerized diagnostic knowledge base to direct the selection of pertinent questions can substantially reduce the number of questions necessary to collect a diagnostically useful patient history.

Artificial Intelligence↗

Measurement of anaerobic threshold in chronic airflow obstruction.

We compared determinations of anaerobic threshold (AT) made from measurements of arterial lactate concentration with AT determined from ventilatory response measurements of subjects with chronic airflow obstruction (CAO). Six untrained subjects with CAO performed incremental maximal cycle ergometer tests. Ventilation (VE); O2 uptake (VO2), CO2 output (VCO2); end-tidal CO2 fraction (FETCO2); and end-tidal O2 fraction (FETO2) were measured breath by breath. Arterial lactate concentration was sampled at rest and every 30 s during exercise from an indwelling arterial catheter. For three subjects with more severe airflow obstruction, plots of VE/VO2 and FETO2 failed to detect AT. In contrast, a systematic increase of the respiratory gas exchange ratio across the lung (R) accompanied increasing arterial lactate concentrations in all 6 subjects. We conclude that progressive increases of VE/VO2 and FETO2 cannot be relied upon for the measurement of AT in patients with severe CAO. Progressive increases of R unaccompanied by decreasing FETCO2 detect AT in CAO.

Aged↗

Diurnal variation of the diffusing capacity of the lung: is it real?

The single-breath diffusing capacity of the lung (DLCO) has been reported to decrease at a rate of 1.2 to 2.2% per hour during usual daytime hours. In an attempt to confirm these findings, we measured DLCO using both single-breath (DLCOs) and rebreathing techniques (DLCOR) in healthy, nonsmoking volunteers over the course of a day and again at different times on different days. Serial testing over a day showed a consistent fall (0.39%/h for DLCOS and 0.56%/h for DLCOR) in DLCO that was explained by increasing carboxyhemoglobin levels (COHb) and decreasing hemoglobin concentrations (Hb). When subjects were tested at different times on different days and compared using a paired t test, there was no change in DLCO over the time of day using either technique. We conclude that there is no diurnal variation in DLCO when adjusted for changes in Hb and COHb. The measurement of COHb levels and Hb concentrations for adjustment of DLCO results is important for correct interpretation of both individual and group studies of DLCO and should be performed whenever possible.

Adult↗

Prediction of pulmonary function abnormalities after adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

To determine if measures of ARDS severity during the acute illness correlate with lung function after recovery from ARDS, we regressed lowest total thoracic compliance (CTH), initial intrapulmonary shunt fraction (Qsp/Qt), initial mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), maximal level of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), time ventilated (Tvent), and time with FlO2 greater than 0.6 (TO2) against the percent of predicted FVC, TLC, and DLCO of 16 previously healthy, nonsmoking ARDS survivors. Pulmonary function tests were performed more than 1 yr after ARDS. Percent of predicted FVC correlated with CTH (r = 0.66, p less than 0.01) and PAP (r = 0.53, p less than 0.05), and percent of predicted TLC correlated with CTH (r = 0.71, p less than 0.01), PEEP (r = -0.55, p less than 0.05), and Qsp/Qt (r = -0.53, p less than 0.05). Only TO2 correlated with percent of predicted DLCO (r = -0.53, p less than 0.05). Five of 7 ARDS survivors with an abnormal DLCO were supported at FlO2 greater than 0.6 for more than 24 h, whereas all of 9 survivors with a normal DLCO received FlO2 greater than 0.6 for less than 24 h. We conclude that physiologic markers of ARDS severity during the acute illness correlate with residual pulmonary dysfunction after recovery from ARDS. Support with FlO2 greater than 0.6 for more than 24 h appears to be a sensitive and specific predictor of an abnormally reduced DLCO more than 1 yr after ARDS.

Adolescent↗

Inter-instrument comparison of blood gas analyzers and assessment of tonometry using fresh heparinized whole human blood.

Because of limitations associated with commercial blood gas quality controls and tonometry of stored blood, fresh heparinized blood was used to compare PO2 and PCO2 performance of ten blood gas analyzers. Function of nine gas mixer/tonometer systems was evaluated. These were used to create blood samples with target values for PO2 and PCO2. All ten analyzers had high precision; this magnified small differences between observed results and target values. Grand mean results from all ten analyzers were within 0.8 mm Hg of the target for PO2 of 40.0 and 100.0 and for PCO2 of 20.0 and 70.0 mm Hg. Eight automated blood gas analyzers gave clinically indistinguishable results for PO2 and PCO2 that were sufficiently accurate for clinical purposes. Also reported is the practicality of using tonometry of fresh heparinized blood in a per shift quality control program for PO2 and PCO2.

Blood↗

The relationship between alveolar oxygen tension and the single-breath carbon monoxide diffusing capacity.

The effects of alveolar oxygen tension (PAO2) on the single-breath carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLCO) were quantified and a factor was derived to accommodate for differences in PAO2 over commonly encountered altitudes and/or varying concentrations of oxygen in the test gas mixture (FIO2) We performed duplicate measurements of DLCO in 7 normal subjects with 6 different oxygen fractions (0.176, 0.196, 0.211, 0.22, 0.25, and 0.27). The PAO2 for each test was measured as the PO2 in the alveolar gas sample bag. DLCO varied inversely with PAO2 and changed by 0.35% for each mmHg change in PAO2 (r = -0.62, p less than 0.001). At an FIO2 of 0.25, PAO2 varied between subjects and was highly correlated with each subject's residual volume to total lung capacity ratio (r = -0.84, p less than 0.001). We suggest that laboratories can adjust the measured DLCO when PAO2 is not congruent to 120 mmHg by the following formula: DLCO (corrected = DLCO (measured) x [1.0 + 0.0035 (PAO2 - 120)].

Adult↗

Large airway size, lung size, and maximal expiratory flow in healthy nonsmokers.

It has been postulated that airway size and lung size may be dissociated because of developmental differences between the tracheobronchial tree and the pulmonary parenchyma (dysanapsis). To test this hypothesis, we compared measurements of airway size (diameters, cross-sectional area, length and volume of the trachea, diameter and cross-sectional area of the mainstem bronchi) and lung size (total lung capacity, thoracic diameters, lung length), as determined from plain chest radiographs in 79 male and 86 female healthy nonsmokers. In both groups of subjects, the correlation between indexes of airway size and lung size was low. Airway size was not significantly different between men and women, when standardized for lung size. Tracheal diameter and length tended to increase with age. To assess the value of airway size measurements in the prediction of maximal expiratory flow, we compared tracheal and bronchial size with FVC, FEV 0.5, FEV1, and mean forced expiratory flow during the middle half of VC. The correlation between airway size and spirometric indexes was very low. Multiple regression analysis showed that the use of airway size variables in addition to the age and height variables did not substantially improve the prediction of maximal expiratory flow. Our results are consistent with the dysanapsis hypothesis, but they suggest that the introduction of radiologic estimates of large airway size in the prediction equations relating maximal expiratory flow to age and height is not justified, at least in the general population.

Female↗

Spirometry as a preoperative screening test in morbidly obese patients.

We performed spirometry on 114 morbidly obese patients considered for gastric bypass surgery to assess its efficacy as a preoperative screening test. One hundred eight subjects underwent surgery, and 61 patients returned for repeat spirometry 1 year later. The average preoperative forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and mid flow (FEF25-75%) were 100% of predicted. Spirometry identified no more of our obese subjects as abnormal than would have been identified in a group of healthy, nonobese individuals. Each surgical case was reviewed. An abnormal preoperative spirogram did not identify the patients who experienced postoperative complications. Weight loss was associated with very small increases in FVC (300 ml) and FEV1 (245 ml). Preoperative spirometric testing is not indicated in morbidly obese patients with no other identifiable risk factors for postoperative respiratory complications.

Adult↗

Effect of intravenous aminophylline upon the incremental exercise performance of healthy men.

Aminophylline increases the contractile force of fatiguing muscles. The effects of aminophylline upon maximal exercise performance are not defined. 6 healthy men performed incremental bicycle ergometry before and after receiving intravenous aminophylline (6 mg/kg). Maximal oxygen uptake, maximum work rate, and maximum minute ventilation were unchanged following aminophylline. Heart rate measured at rest and at 50-watt increments of work rate was significantly increased following aminophylline (p less than 0.03). The heart rate response to incremental exercise (delta HR/delta VO2) was unchanged by aminophylline. We conclude that aminophylline does not increase maximal exercise performance of healthy men.

Adult↗

Efficacy of chest radiography in a respiratory intensive care unit. A prospective study.

A prospective study of chest radiographic examinations in a respiratory intensive care unit was conducted to determine the diagnostic and therapeutic efficacy of such examinations. Analysis of data from 1,354 x-ray films from 167 patients revealed a 34.5 percent incidence of new (or increased) abnormalities, or tube or catheter malposition. Changes in diagnostic approach or therapeutic measures, excluding catheter position adjustments, occurred after 28.5 percent of the examinations. Radiographic yield was higher when a change in clinical condition prompted the radiographic examination than when the examination was a routine morning study. Changes in the approach to patient management were also more likely (42.7 percent) following examinations that were prompted by a change in a patient's clinical status. Less than 6 percent of the radiographic films taken post-procedure demonstrated abnormalities potentially related to the procedure. We conclude that, in a respiratory intensive care unit: routine morning radiographic examination frequently demonstrates unexpected or changing abnormalities, many of which prompt changes in diagnosis or management radiographic evaluation of a change in a patient's clinical condition has a higher yield than routine examinations; and post-procedure radiographic examination uncommonly demonstrates complications related to the procedure, but frequently demonstrates abnormalities of tube or catheter placement.

Adult↗

A computer system for analysis and transmission of spirometry waveforms using volume sampling.

A microprocessor-controlled data gathering system for telemetry and analysis of spirometry waveforms was implemented using a completely digital design. Spirometry waveforms were obtained from an optical shaft encoder attached to a rolling seal spirometer. Time intervals between 10-ml volume changes (volume sampling) were stored. The digital design eliminated problems of analog signal sampling. The system measured flows up to 12 liters/sec with 5% accuracy and volumes up to 10 liters with 1% accuracy. Transmission of 10 waveforms took about 3 min. Error detection assured that no data were lost or distorted during transmission. A pulmonary physician at the central hospital reviewed the volume-time and flow-volume waveforms and interpretations generated by the central computer before forwarding the results and consulting with the rural physician. This system is suitable for use in a major hospital, rural hospital, or small clinic because of the system's simplicity and small size.

Computers↗