title: The length of time healthy subjects and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are able to withstand maximal inspiratory pressure.
abstract: We measured the length of time that healthy subjects and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were able to withstand an inspiratory pressure equal to or over 80% of the maximal static inspiratory pressure (PImax). For the purpose 10 patients with COPD, during a stable period of their illness, and 10 healthy subjects were studied. The mean values for PImax, maximal expiratory pressure (PEmax) and the length of time to withstand PImax (TPImax) were significantly lower in patients with COPD than in healthy individuals. In the group of patients with COPD, 50% exhibited a TPImax of less than 3 s and none were able to withstand PImax for more than 4.30 s. However, it should be pointed out that, even among healthy individuals, there were 4 subjects who were unable to withstand PImax for more than 3 s.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Neumología, Hospital de Badalona Germans Trías i Pujol, España.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Fiz
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Aguilar
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gallego
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Izquierdo
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Monso
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Morera
mesh_terms: D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics; D014109:Total Lung Capacity; D014797:Vital Capacity