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Published on: April 29, 2011
High-frequency and low-frequency chest compression: effects on lung water secretion, mucus transport, heart rate, and
George D O'Clock1, Yong Wan Lee, Jongwong Lee
1Defense of the Lungs Project, Pulmonary Disease/Critical Care, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA. ocloc002@umn.edu
Abstract:
High-frequency chest compression (HFCC), using an appropriate source (pump) waveform for frequencies at or above 3 Hz, can enhance pulmonary clearance for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Using a trapezoidal HFCC source pressure waveform, secretion of water from epithelial tissue and transport of mucus through lung airways can be enhanced for patients with CF and COPD. At frequencies below 3 Hz, low-frequency chest compression (LFCC) appears to have a significant impact on the cardiovascular system. For a trapezoidal source pressure waveform at frequencies close to 1 Hz, LFCC produces amplitude or intensity variations in various components of the electrocardiogram time-domain waveform, produces changes at very low frequencies associated with the electrocardiogram frequency spectra (indicating enhanced parasympathetic nervous system activity), and promotes a form of heart rate synchronization. It appears that LFCC can also provide additional cardiovascular benefits by reducing peak and average systolic and diastolic blood pressure for patients with hypertension.
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