title: Pulmonary function and expiratory flow limitation in acute cervical spinal cord injury.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify the nature of the changes of respiratory mechanics in patients with middle cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) and their correlation with posture.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Acute SCI unit.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with SCI (N=34) at C4-5 level studied within 6 months of injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were assessed by the negative expiratory pressure test, maximal static respiratory pressure test, and standard spirometry.
  
  
  METHODS
  The following respiratory variables were recorded in both the semirecumbent and supine positions: (1) tidal expiratory flow limitation (TEFL); (2) airway resistances; (3) mouth occlusion pressure developed 0.1 seconds after occluded inspiration at functional residual capacity (P(0.1)); (4) maximal static inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal static expiratory pressure (MEP); and (5) spirometric data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  TEFL was detected in 32% of the patients in the supine position and in 9% in the semirecumbent position. Airway resistances and P(0.1) were much higher compared with normative values, while MIP and MEP were markedly reduced. The ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second to forced vital capacity was less than 70%, while the other spirometric data were reduced up to 30% of predicted values.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with middle cervical SCI can develop TEFL. The presence of TEFL, associated with increased airway resistance, could increase the work of breathing in the presence of a reduced capacity of the respiratory muscles to respond to the increased load. The semirecumbent position and the use of continuous positive airway pressure can be helpful to (1) reduce the extent of TEFL and avoid the opening/closure of the small airways; (2) decrease airway resistance; and (3) maintain the expiratory flow as high as possible, which aids in the removal of secretions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical, Anaesthesiological and Radiological Sciences, Section of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Alvisi
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marangoni
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zannoli
authors.forename: Mariella
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Uneddu
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Uggento
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Farabegoli
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ragazzi
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Milic-Emili
authors.forename: Gian P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Belloni
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Alvisi
authors.forename: Carlo A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Volta
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016683:Supine Position; D055815:Young Adult