Diaphragmatic Ultrasound Correlates with Inspiratory Muscle Strength and Pulmonary Function in Healthy Subjects

Publication date: April 2018
Source:Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology, Volume 44, Issue 4
Author(s): Letícia Zumpano Cardenas, Pauliane Vieira Santana, Pedro Caruso, Carlos Roberto Ribeiro de Carvalho, André Luís Pereira de Albuquerque
Diaphragm ultrasound (DUS) has been used to identify diaphragm dysfunction. However, its correlations with respiratory strength and lung function are unclear, even in healthy patients. A total of 64 healthy patients (30 males) had lung function and inspiratory strength (maximal inspiratory pressure and sniff nasal inspiratory pressure) measured. Gastric and oesophageal pressures were measured in a subgroup (n = 40). DUS was characterized by mobility (quiet breathing [QB] and deep breathing [DB]) and thickness (at functional residual capacity [ThFRC] and total lung capacity [ThTLC]). We calculated the thickening fraction (TF). During QB, DUS was similar between sexes. However, during DB, females had lower mobility, thickness and TF than males. Mobility at DB, ThTLC and TF significantly correlated with lung function and inspiratory strength. These correlations were affected by sex. DUS correlated with inspiratory gastric pressure. In healthy patients, DUS correlated with lung function and inspiratory strength during DB. Significant differences between genders were noticeable when DUS was performed during DB.



http://ift.tt/2CDJxcj