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Thoracoabdominal asynchrony in infants with airflow obstruction
J L Allen1, M R Wolfson, K McDowell
1Department of Pediatrics, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA.
The American Review of Respiratory Disease
|February 1, 1990
Summary
Thoracoabdominal asynchrony (TAA) in infants with airflow obstruction (AO) decreases after bronchodilator use, correlating with improved lung mechanics. This suggests TAA is a useful measure for assessing lung function in infants with AO.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Respiratory Mechanics
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Thoracoabdominal asynchrony (TAA) is a potential indicator for assessing airflow obstruction (AO) in infants.
- Understanding TAA's role in infant lung mechanics is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of measuring TAA in assessing lung mechanics in infants with AO.
- To determine if changes in TAA correlate with changes in lung function after bronchodilator administration.
Main Methods:
- Respiratory inductive plethysmography (RIP) was used to quantify TAA in 13 infants.
- Lung resistance (RL) and elastance (EL) were calculated using esophageal pressure, mouth pressure, tidal volume, and flow.
- TAA was measured before and after aerosolized bronchodilator (BD) administration.
Main Results:
- All infants exhibited TAA at baseline.
- TAA decreased post-bronchodilator administration in infants with reduced RL.
- The reduction in TAA phase angle significantly correlated with decreased RL, EL, and peak-to-peak esophageal pressure swings.
Conclusions:
- Infant airflow obstruction (AO) causes TAA due to altered pleural pressure impacting the compliant chest wall.
- Bronchodilator-induced improvements in lung mechanics are reflected by changes in TAA.
- TAA measurement is a valuable tool for assessing lung mechanics in infants with AO.