Computer-assisted evaluation of some respiratory parameters during voluntary cough.
Three different microcomputers proved to be useful in processing of pressure, flow and volume signals during cough and other respiratory manoeuvres. In young healthy volunteers, values of forced vital capacity, peak expiratory flow and flow at 0.1 s measured during cough were smaller in women than in men due to their smaller body surface and FVC. Compared to forced expiration a sudden and vigorous cough effort, in spite of its shorter duration, resulted in an increased mean flow rate and in similar peak flow reached by expulsion of a smaller volume. Analysis of flow-volume curves indicated higher flow-rates at the beginning (5-10% FEV) and to the end of cough expulsion (65-95% FEV) than in forced expiration. The volume, peak flow and flow 0.1 s from the beginning of inspiration and expiration were practically the same in 5 successive cycles of voluntary cough performed by maximum effort. The mechanisms involved in cough expiration are more automatic than the mechanisms of cough inspiration. A personal computer can be useful for monitoring the increase in PEP, PIP, PEF, PIF, FEV, FIV and in maximum resistance as well as the decrease in compliance observed during cough compared to quiet breathing.
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Martin, Czechoslovakia.
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Tomori
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Frndová
D000328:Adult; D003371:Cough / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001330:Electronic Data Processing; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D012119:Respiration; D014797:Vital Capacity