Pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength in chronic heart failure: comparison between ischaemic and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.
OBJECTIVE
To compare pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength in patients with ischaemic and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, well matched for indices of heart failure.


METHODS
The study involved 30 patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy and 30 with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. The groups were well matched for age, weight, and clinical severity of cardiac dysfunction as assessed by ejection fraction and the New York Heart Association functional class. There were more smokers in the ischaemic group (p < 0.05), but indices of pulmonary function were comparable.


RESULTS
Mean (SD) maximum static inspiratory pressure was lower in dilated cardiomyopathy than in ischaemic cardiomyopathy (73 (20) v 84 (22) cm H2O, p < 0.05), as was the maximum static expiratory pressure (90 (20) v 104 (21) cm H2O, p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
For a given degree of cardiac dysfunction, the respiratory muscles are weaker in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy than in those with ischaemic cardiomyopathy.
Daganou
M
M
Pulmonary and Critical Care Section and Clinic for Heart and Lung Transplantation, Onassis Cardiac Centre, 356 Sygrou Avenue, Athens 17674, Greece.
Dimopoulou
I
I
Alivizatos
P A
PA
Tzelepis
G E
GE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000209:etiology; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics; D012132:Respiratory Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*