title: Effect of respiratory physiotherapy on arterial oxygen tension.
abstract: The effect of deep breathing on arterial oxygen tension was investigated in 45 postoperative patients. Arterial oxygen tension was estimated by the transcutaneous oxygen tension method, which allows continuous non-invasive measurement of the arterial oxygen tension changes. Three deep breaths in 1 min, assisted by three respiratory therapy devices, were compared to a standard physiotherapy programme. A peak increase in arterial oxygen tension of 3--4.5 mmHg occurred after 1 min, and significantly increased values were seen for 2--4 min following deep breathing with the three respiratory devices. From the various physiotherapeutic procedures, verbally and manually assisted deep breathing gave a 7 mmHg PO2 peak and significantly increased values for 6 min. The sign mechanism is discussed in the light of the present knowledge of airway closure, which gives a satisfactory explanation of the short-lasting increase in oxygen tension.
mesh_terms: D003011:Closing Volume; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood*; D012138:Respiratory Therapy
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen