The tussometer: accuracy and reproducibility.
Tussometry is a new non-invasive technique for objectively assessing laryngeal function by analysis of the airflow waveform produced by a maximum effort voluntary cough manoeuvre. We describe the technique and present the calibration data. The tussometer has been calibrated for flows of up to 1100 litre min-1 using a flowmeter with a quoted accuracy of +/- 1.75%. The variables measured (cough peak flow rate (CPFR) and peak velocity time (PVT)) were found to be reproducible; the within-subject variability for CPFR was found to be 23.9% and for PVT 9%. There was no inter-observer variation. We found that the size of the mask used did not influence the readings obtained, providing an adequate seal was achieved.
Singh
P
P
University Department of Anaesthesia, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham.
Murty
G E
GE
Mahajan
R P
RP
Knights
D
D
Aitkenhead
A R
AR
D002138:Calibration; D003371:Cough / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007830:Larynx / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008397:Masks; D015588:Observer Variation; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation / Q000502:physiology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012212:Rheology / Q000295:instrumentation