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Spiesshoefer J, Regmi B, Senol M, Jörn B, Gorol O, Elfeturi M, Walterspacher S, Giannoni A, Kahles F, Gloeckl R, Dreher M. Potential Diaphragm Muscle Weakness-related Dyspnea Persists 2 Years after COVID-19 and Could Be Improved by Inspiratory Muscle Training: Results of an Observational and an Interventional Clinical Trial. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2024; 210:618-628. [PMID: 38763165 PMCID: PMC11389583 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.202309-1572oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Diaphragm muscle weakness might underlie persistent exertional dyspnea, despite normal lung and cardiac function in individuals who were previously hospitalized for acute coronavirus disease (COVID-19) illness. Objectives: The authors sought, first, to determine the persistence and pathophysiological nature of diaphragm muscle weakness and its association with exertional dyspnea 2 years after hospitalization for COVID-19 and, second, to investigate the impact of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on diaphragm and inspiratory muscle weakness and exertional dyspnea in individuals with long COVID. Methods: Approximately 2 years after hospitalization for COVID-19, 30 individuals (11 women, 19 men; median age, 58 years; interquartile range [IQR] = 51-63) underwent comprehensive (invasive) respiratory muscle assessment and evaluation of dyspnea. Eighteen with persistent diaphragm muscle weakness and exertional dyspnea were randomized to 6 weeks of IMT or sham training; assessments were repeated immediately after and 6 weeks after IMT completion. The primary endpoint was change in inspiratory muscle fatiguability immediately after IMT. Measurements and Main Results: At a median of 31 months (IQR = 23-32) after hospitalization, 21 of 30 individuals reported relevant persistent exertional dyspnea. Diaphragm muscle weakness on exertion and reduced diaphragm cortical activation were potentially related to exertional dyspnea. Compared with sham control, IMT improved diaphragm and inspiratory muscle function (sniff transdiaphragmatic pressure, 83 cm H2O [IQR = 75-91] vs. 100 cm H2O [IQR = 81-113], P = 0.02), inspiratory muscle fatiguability (time to task failure, 365 s [IQR = 284-701] vs. 983 s [IQR = 551-1,494], P = 0.05), diaphragm voluntary activation index (79% [IQR = 63-92] vs. 89% [IQR = 75-94], P = 0.03), and dyspnea (Borg score, 7 [IQR = 5.5-8] vs. 6 [IQR = 4-7], P = 0.03). Improvements persisted for 6 weeks after IMT completion. Conclusions: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is the first to identify a potential treatment for persisting exertional dyspnea in long COVID and provide a possible pathophysiological explanation for the treatment benefit. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04854863, NCT05582642).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Binaya Regmi
- Department of Pneumology and Intensive Care Medicine and
| | - Mehdi Senol
- Department of Pneumology and Intensive Care Medicine and
| | - Benedikt Jörn
- Department of Pneumology and Intensive Care Medicine and
| | - Oscar Gorol
- Department of Pneumology and Intensive Care Medicine and
| | | | - Stephan Walterspacher
- Faculty of Health/School of Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany
- Medical Clinic II, Department of Pneumology, Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Klinikum Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Alberto Giannoni
- Interdisciplinary Health Science Center, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - Florian Kahles
- Department of Cardiology, Vascular Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Rainer Gloeckl
- Philipps-University of Marburg, German Center for Lung Research, Marburg, Germany; and
- Institute for Pulmonary Rehabilitation Research, Schoen Klinik Berchtesgadener Land, Schoenau am Koenigssee, Germany
| | - Michael Dreher
- Department of Pneumology and Intensive Care Medicine and
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Spiesshoefer J, Herkenrath SD, Treml M, Pietzke-Calcagnile A, Hagmeyer L, Regmi B, Matthes S, Young P, Boentert M, Randerath WJ. Inspiratory Muscle Dysfunction Mediates and Predicts a Disease Continuum of Hypercapnic Failure in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Respiration 2024; 103:182-192. [PMID: 38325348 DOI: 10.1159/000536589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with chronic hypercapnic failure. The present work aimed to comprehensively investigate inspiratory muscle function as a potential key determinant of hypercapnic respiratory failure in patients with COPD. METHODS Prospective patient recruitment encompassed 61 stable subjects with COPD across different stages of respiratory failure, ranging from normocapnia to isolated nighttime hypercapnia and daytime hypercapnia. Arterialized blood gas analyses and overnight transcutaneous capnometry were used for patient stratification. Assessment of respiratory muscle function encompassed body plethysmography, maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), diaphragm ultrasound, and transdiaphragmatic pressure recordings following cervical magnetic stimulation of the phrenic nerves (twPdi) and a maximum sniff manoeuvre (Sniff Pdi). RESULTS Twenty patients showed no hypercapnia, 10 had isolated nocturnal hypercapnia, and 31 had daytime hypercapnia. Body plethysmography clearly distinguished patients with and without hypercapnia but did not discriminate patients with isolated nocturnal hypercapnia from those with daytime hypercapnia. In contrast to ultrasound parameters and transdiaphragmatic pressures, only MIP reflected the extent of hypercapnia across all three stages. MIP values below -48 cmH2O predicted nocturnal hypercapnia (area under the curve = 0.733, p = 0.052). CONCLUSION In COPD, inspiratory muscle dysfunction contributes to progressive hypercapnic failure. In contrast to invasive tests of diaphragm strength only MIP fully reflects the pathophysiological continuum of hypercapnic failure and predicts isolated nocturnal hypercapnia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Spiesshoefer
- Department of Pneumology and Intensive Care Medicine, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Health Science Center, Scuola Superiore Sant Anna Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Simon D Herkenrath
- Institute for Pneumology at the University of Cologne, Solingen, Germany
- Bethanien Hospital gGmbH, Solingen, Germany
| | - Marcel Treml
- Institute for Pneumology at the University of Cologne, Solingen, Germany,
| | | | - Lars Hagmeyer
- Institute for Pneumology at the University of Cologne, Solingen, Germany
- Bethanien Hospital gGmbH, Solingen, Germany
| | - Binaya Regmi
- Department of Pneumology and Intensive Care Medicine, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Sandhya Matthes
- Institute for Pneumology at the University of Cologne, Solingen, Germany
| | - Peter Young
- Medical Park Klinik Reithofpark, Bad Feilnbach, Germany
| | - Matthias Boentert
- Department of Neurology with Institute for Translational Neurology, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
- Department of Medicine, UKM Marienhospital Steinfurt, Steinfurt, Germany
| | - Winfried J Randerath
- Institute for Pneumology at the University of Cologne, Solingen, Germany
- Bethanien Hospital gGmbH, Solingen, Germany
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Spiesshoefer J, Friedrich J, Regmi B, Geppert J, Jörn B, Kersten A, Giannoni A, Boentert M, Marx G, Marx N, Daher A, Dreher M. Diaphragm dysfunction as a potential determinant of dyspnea on exertion in patients 1 year after COVID-19-related ARDS. Respir Res 2022; 23:187. [PMID: 35841032 PMCID: PMC9284093 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-022-02100-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Some COVID-19 patients experience dyspnea without objective impairment of pulmonary or cardiac function. This study determined diaphragm function and its central voluntary activation as a potential correlate with exertional dyspnea after COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in ten patients and matched controls. One year post discharge, both pulmonary function tests and echocardiography were normal. However, six patients with persisting dyspnea on exertion showed impaired volitional diaphragm function and control based on ultrasound, magnetic stimulation and balloon catheter-based recordings. Diaphragm dysfunction with impaired voluntary activation can be present 1 year after severe COVID-19 ARDS and may relate to exertional dyspnea. This prospective case–control study was registered under the trial registration number NCT04854863 April, 22 2021
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Spiesshoefer
- Department of Pneumology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany. .,Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Janina Friedrich
- Department of Pneumology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Binaya Regmi
- Department of Pneumology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Jonathan Geppert
- Department of Pneumology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Benedikt Jörn
- Department of Pneumology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Alexander Kersten
- Department of Cardiology, Vascular and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Alberto Giannoni
- Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - Matthias Boentert
- Department of Neurology with Institute for Translational Neurology, University Hospital of Muenster, Muenster, Germany.,Department of Medicine, UKM Marienhospital Steinfurt, Steinfurt, Germany
| | - Gernot Marx
- Department of Intensive Care and Intermediate Care, University Hospital Rheinisch Westfaelische Technische Hochschule Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Nikolaus Marx
- Department of Cardiology, Vascular and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ayham Daher
- Department of Pneumology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Michael Dreher
- Department of Pneumology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
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Spiesshoefer J, Regmi B, Ottaviani MM, Kahles F, Giannoni A, Borrelli C, Passino C, Macefield V, Dreher M. Sympathetic and Vagal Nerve Activity in COPD: Pathophysiology, Presumed Determinants and Underappreciated Therapeutic Potential. Front Physiol 2022; 13:919422. [PMID: 35845993 PMCID: PMC9281604 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.919422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This article explains the comprehensive state of the art assessment of sympathetic (SNA) and vagal nerve activity recordings in humans and highlights the precise mechanisms mediating increased SNA and its corresponding presumed clinical determinants and therapeutic potential in the context of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is known that patients with COPD exhibit increased muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA), as measured directly using intraneural microelectrodes—the gold standard for evaluation of sympathetic outflow. However, the underlying physiological mechanisms responsible for the sympathoexcitation in COPD and its clinical relevance are less well understood. This may be related to the absence of a systematic approach to measure the increase in sympathetic activity and the lack of a comprehensive approach to assess the underlying mechanisms by which MSNA increases. The nature of sympathoexcitation can be dissected by distinguishing the heart rate increasing properties (heart rate and blood pressure variability) from the vasoconstrictive drive to the peripheral vasculature (measurement of catecholamines and MSNA) (Graphical Abstract Figure 1). Invasive assessment of MSNA to the point of single unit recordings with analysis of single postganglionic sympathetic firing, and hence SNA drive to the peripheral vasculature, is the gold standard for quantification of SNA in humans but is only available in a few centres worldwide because it is costly, time consuming and requires a high level of training. A broad picture of the underlying pathophysiological determinants of the increase in sympathetic outflow in COPD can only be determined if a combination of these tools are used. Various factors potentially determine SNA in COPD (Graphical Abstract Figure 1): Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is highly prevalent in COPD, and leads to repeated bouts of upper airway obstructions with hypoxemia, causing repetitive arousals. This probably produces ongoing sympathoexcitation in the awake state, likely in the “blue bloater” phenotype, resulting in persistent vasoconstriction. Other variables likely describe a subset of COPD patients with increase of sympathetic drive to the heart, clinically likely in the “pink puffer” phenotype. Pharmacological treatment options of increased SNA in COPD could comprise beta blocker therapy. However, as opposed to systolic heart failure a similar beneficial effect of beta blocker therapy in COPD patients has not been shown. The point is made that although MSNA is undoubtedly increased in COPD (probably independently from concomitant cardiovascular disease), studies designed to determine clinical improvements during specific treatment will only be successful if they include adequate patient selection and translational state of the art assessment of SNA. This would ideally include intraneural recordings of MSNA and—as a future perspective—vagal nerve activity all of which should ideally be assessed both in the upright and in the supine position to also determine baroreflex function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Spiesshoefer
- Department of Pneumology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
- Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa, Italy
- *Correspondence: Jens Spiesshoefer, , orcid.org/0000-0001-8205-1749
| | - Binaya Regmi
- Department of Pneumology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | | | - Florian Kahles
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Alberto Giannoni
- Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Borrelli
- Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - Claudio Passino
- Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - Vaughan Macefield
- Human Autonomic Neurophysiology Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Michael Dreher
- Department of Pneumology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
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Spiesshoefer J, Henke C, Kabitz HJ, Bengel P, Schütt K, Nofer JR, Spieker M, Orwat S, Diller GP, Strecker JK, Giannoni A, Dreher M, Randerath WJ, Boentert M, Tuleta I. Heart Failure Results in Inspiratory Muscle Dysfunction Irrespective of Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction. Respiration 2020; 100:96-108. [PMID: 33171473 DOI: 10.1159/000509940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exercise intolerance in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) or heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) results from both cardiac dysfunction and skeletal muscle weakness. Respiratory muscle dysfunction with restrictive ventilation disorder may be present irrespective of left ventricular ejection fraction and might be mediated by circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines. OBJECTIVE To determine lung and respiratory muscle function in patients with HFrEF/HFpEF and to determine its associations with exercise intolerance and markers of systemic inflammation. METHODS Adult patients with HFrEF (n = 22, 19 male, 61 ± 14 years) and HFpEF (n = 8, 7 male, 68 ± 8 years) and 19 matched healthy control subjects underwent spirometry, measurement of maximum mouth occlusion pressures, diaphragm ultrasound, and recording of transdiaphragmatic and gastric pressures following magnetic stimulation of the phrenic nerves and the lower thoracic nerve roots. New York Heart Association (NYHA) class and 6-min walking distance (6MWD) were used to quantify exercise intolerance. Levels of circulating interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured using ELISAs. RESULTS Compared with controls, both patient groups showed lower forced vital capacity (FVC) (p < 0.05), maximum inspiratory pressure (PImax), maximum expiratory pressure (PEmax) (p < 0.05), diaphragm thickening ratio (p = 0.01), and diaphragm strength (twitch transdiaphragmatic pressure in response to supramaximal cervical magnetic phrenic nerve stimulation) (p = 0.01). In patients with HFrEF, NYHA class and 6MWD were both inversely correlated with FVC, PImax, and PEmax. In those with HFpEF, there was an inverse correlation between amino terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide levels and FVC (r = -0.77, p = 0.04). In all HF patients, IL-6 and TNF-α were statistically related to FVC. CONCLUSIONS Irrespective of left ventricular ejection fraction, HF is associated with respiratory muscle dysfunction, which is associated with increased levels of circulating IL-6 and TNF-α.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Spiesshoefer
- Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy, .,Department of Pneumology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany, .,Department of Neurology with Institute for Translational Neurology, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany,
| | - Carolin Henke
- Department of Neurology, Herz-Jesu-Krankenhaus Hiltrup, Muenster, Germany
| | - Hans Joachim Kabitz
- Department of Pneumology, Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Klinikum Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Philipp Bengel
- Clinic for Cardiology and Pneumology/Heart Center, University Medical Center Goettingen, DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Goettingen, Germany
| | - Katharina Schütt
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Aachen, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Jerzy-Roch Nofer
- Center for Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Muenster, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany and Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Maximilian Spieker
- Division of Cardiology, Pulmonology and Vascular Medicine, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Stefan Orwat
- Department of Cardiology III, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Gerhard Paul Diller
- Department of Cardiology III, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Jan Kolia Strecker
- Department of Neurology with Institute for Translational Neurology, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Alberto Giannoni
- Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - Michael Dreher
- Department of Pneumology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Winfried Johannes Randerath
- Institute for Pneumology at the University of Cologne, Solingen, Germany.,Bethanien Hospital gGmbH Solingen, Solingen, Germany
| | - Matthias Boentert
- Department of Neurology with Institute for Translational Neurology, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany.,Department of Medicine, UKM Marienhospital Steinfurt, Steinfurt, Germany
| | - Izabela Tuleta
- Department of Cardiology I, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
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Spiesshoefer J, Herkenrath S, Henke C, Langenbruch L, Schneppe M, Randerath W, Young P, Brix T, Boentert M. Evaluation of Respiratory Muscle Strength and Diaphragm Ultrasound: Normative Values, Theoretical Considerations, and Practical Recommendations. Respiration 2020; 99:369-381. [PMID: 32396905 DOI: 10.1159/000506016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 01/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reference values derived from existing diaphragm ultrasound protocols are inconsistent, and the association between sonographic measures of diaphragm function and volitional tests of respiratory muscle strength is still ambiguous. OBJECTIVE To propose a standardized and comprehensive protocol for diaphragm ultrasound in order to determine lower limits of normal (LLN) for both diaphragm excursion and thickness in healthy subjects and to explore the association between volitional tests of respiratory muscle strength and diaphragm ultrasound parameters. METHODS Seventy healthy adult subjects (25 men, 45 women; age 34 ± 13 years) underwent spirometric lung function testing, determination of maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure along with ultrasound evaluation of diaphragm excursion and thickness during tidal breathing, deep breathing, and maximum voluntary sniff. Excursion data were collected for amplitude and velocity of diaphragm displacement. Diaphragm thickness was measured in the zone of apposition at total lung capacity (TLC) and functional residual capacity (FRC). All participants underwent invasive measurement of transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdi) during different voluntary breathing maneuvers. RESULTS Ultrasound data were successfully obtained in all participants (procedure duration 12 ± 3 min). LLNs (defined as the 5th percentile) for diaphragm excursion were as follows: (a) during tidal breathing: 1.2 cm (males; M) and 1.2 cm (females; F) for amplitude, and 0.8 cm/s (M) and 0.8 cm/s (F) for velocity, (b) during maximum voluntary sniff: 2.0 cm (M) and 1.5 cm (F) for amplitude, and 6.7 (M) cm/s and 5.2 cm/s (F) for velocity, and (c) at TLC: 7.9 cm (M) and 6.4 cm (F) for amplitude. LLN for diaphragm thickness was 0.17 cm (M) and 0.15 cm (F) at FRC, and 0.46 cm (M) and 0.35 cm (F) at TLC. Values for males were consistently higher than for females, independent of age. LLN for diaphragmatic thickening ratio was 2.2 with no difference between genders. LLN for invasively measured Pdi during different breathing maneuvers are presented. Voluntary Pdi showed only weak correlation with both diaphragm excursion velocity and amplitude during forced inspiration. CONCLUSIONS Diaphragm ultrasound is an easy-to-perform and reproducible diagnostic tool for noninvasive assessment of diaphragm excursion and thickness. It supplements but does not replace respiratory muscle strength testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Spiesshoefer
- Respiratory Physiology Laboratory, Department of Neurology, Institute for Translational Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany, .,Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant´Anna, Pisa, Italy,
| | - Simon Herkenrath
- Bethanien Hospital Solingen, Solingen, Germany.,Institute for Pneumology, University of Cologne, Solingen, Germany
| | - Carolin Henke
- Respiratory Physiology Laboratory, Department of Neurology, Institute for Translational Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Lisa Langenbruch
- Respiratory Physiology Laboratory, Department of Neurology, Institute for Translational Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Marike Schneppe
- Respiratory Physiology Laboratory, Department of Neurology, Institute for Translational Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Winfried Randerath
- Bethanien Hospital Solingen, Solingen, Germany.,Institute for Pneumology, University of Cologne, Solingen, Germany
| | - Peter Young
- Medical Park Klinik Reithofpark, Bad Feilnbach, Germany
| | - Tobias Brix
- Institute of Medical Informatics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Matthias Boentert
- Respiratory Physiology Laboratory, Department of Neurology, Institute for Translational Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany.,Department of Medicine, UKM Marienhospital Steinfurt, Steinfurt, Germany
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