Computerised lung sound monitoring to assess effectiveness of chest physiotherapy and secretion removal: a feasibility study.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the feasibility of computerised lung sound monitoring to evaluate secretion removal in intubated and mechanically ventilated adult patients.


METHODS
Before and after observational investigation.


METHODS
Intensive care unit.


METHODS
Fifteen intubated and mechanically ventilated adult patients receiving chest physiotherapy.


METHODS
Chest physiotherapy included combinations of standard closed airway suctioning, saline lavage, postural drainage, chest wall vibrations, manual-assisted cough and/or lung hyperinflation, dependent upon clinical indications.


METHODS
Lung sound amplitude at peak inspiration was assessed using computerised lung sound monitoring. Measurements were performed immediately before and after chest physiotherapy. Data are reported as mean [standard deviation (SD)], mean difference and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Significance testing was not performed due to the small sample size and the exploratory nature of the study.


RESULTS
Fifteen patients were included in the study [11 males, four females, mean age 65 (SD 14) years]. The mean total lung sound amplitude at peak inspiration decreased two-fold from 38 (SD 59) units before treatment to 17 (SD 19) units after treatment (mean difference 22, 95% CI of difference -3 to 46). The mean total lung sound amplitude from the lungs of patients with a large amount of secretions (n=9) was over four times 'louder' than the lungs of patients with a moderate or small amount of secretions (n=6) [56 (SD 72) units vs 12 (13) units, respectively; mean difference -44, 95% CI of difference -100 to 11]. The mean total lung sound amplitude decreased in the group of 'loud' right and left lungs (n=15) from 37 (SD 36) units before treatment to 15 (SD 13) units after treatment (mean difference 22, 95% CI of difference 6 to 38).


CONCLUSIONS
Computerised lung sound monitoring in this small group of patients demonstrated a two-fold decrease in lung sound amplitude following chest physiotherapy. Subgroup analysis also demonstrated decreasing trends in lung sound amplitude in the group of 'loud' lungs following chest physiotherapy. Due to the small sample size and large SDs with high variability in the lung sound amplitude measurements, significance testing was not reported. Further investigation is needed in a larger sample of patients with more accurate measurement of sputum wet weight in order to distinguish between secretion-related effects and changes due to other factors such as airflow rate and pattern.
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK. george.ntoumenopoulos@gstt.nhs.uk
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Ntoumenopoulos
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Glickman
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001314:Auscultation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D035641:Chest Wall Oscillation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D015916:Drainage, Postural / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000379:methods; D012135:Respiratory Sounds; D013183:Sputum; D055815:Young Adult