Multiple breath washout lung function reveals ventilation inhomogeneity unresponsive to mechanical assisted cough in patients with neuromuscular disease.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Respiratory involvement defines the clinical outcome of neuromuscular diseases (NMD). The lung clearance index (LCI) is a marker of lung ventilation inhomogeneity and indicates small airway disease. It is determined by mulitple breath washout lung function (MBW). The merit of LCI is undisputed for primary lung diseases like cystic fibrosis, but its role in NMD is unclear.

Methods

We investigated the role of MBW in patients with NMD and the effect of two different tracer gases and cough assist devices on the LCI. Patients and controls performed MBW with nitrogen (N₂) and sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆), whereas the latter analysis was repeated after the use of a cough assist device in the NMD group. LCI was compared to forced vital capacity (FVC) an

SUBMITTER: Steindor M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9166427 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature