Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 2, 2026

Home-Based Prescribed Pulmonary Exercise in Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Published on: August 24, 2019
[Breath drive response of COPD patients with hypercapnic respiratory failure and their families]
1Department of Respirology, Second Hospital of Peking University, Beijing 100044, China.
Objective:
To investigate the breath drive response of COPD patients and their offspring and to analyze the potential heredity.
Methods:
P(0.1) and ventilatory response to hypoxia (DeltaV(E)/DeltaSaO(2)), P(0.1) response to hypoxia (DeltaP(0.1)/DeltaSaO(2)), P(0.1) response to hypercapnia (DeltaP(0.1)/DeltaP(ET)CO(2)DeltaV(E)/P(ET)CO(2)) and ventilatory response to hypercapnia (DeltaV(E)/P(ET)CO(2)) were measured in 6 COPD patients with type II respiratory failure and in 21 of their normal adult offspring.
Results:
(1) P(0.1) was remarkably higher among all of the COPD patients than among their offspring and normal controls. The hypoxia response (DeltaP(0.1)/DeltaSaO(2)) and DeltaP(0.1)/DeltaP(ET)CO(2) were significantly decreased among the COPD patients (P < 0.05). (2) The hypoxia response was low among 10 of the offspring of COPD patients, and was normal among the other 11. (3) The ventilatory response to hypercapnia (DeltaV(E)/DeltaP(ET)CO(2)) was significantly decreased among the COPD patients, and varied greatly among their offspring.
Conclusion:
(1) The depression of respiratory responses to hypoxia and hypercapnia may be the reason of type II respiratory failure. (2) The depression of hypoxia response may be influenced by genetic factors.
Related Concept Videos
Acute Respiratory Failure-III
Physiological Control of Respiration
Breathing, a seemingly passive process, is regulated by the respiratory center in the brainstem. This center coordinates the involuntary control of respirations, which means it occurs without conscious effort, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted pattern.
Regulation of Ventilation
The body maintains ventilation by monitoring levels of carbon dioxide (CO2), oxygen (O2), and hydrogen ion concentration (pH) in the arterial blood. Among these factors, the level of CO2 plays a crucial...
Hyperpnea and Hyperventilation
Acute Respiratory Failure-IV
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-I: Introduction
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-V: Nursing Management
Assessment
