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Maximum voluntary cough: an indication of airway function.
C S Beardsmore1, S P Wimpress, A H Thomson
1Department of Child Health, University of Leicester, Leicester Royal Infirmary, England, UK.
Bulletin Europeen De Physiopathologie Respiratoire
|September 1, 1987
Summary
Maximum voluntary coughing generates unique flow-volume profiles. Cough peak flow decreases with lung volume, and the cough ratio declines with age, offering insights into respiratory mechanics.
Area of Science:
- Respiratory Physiology
- Pulmonary Function Testing
Background:
- Maximum voluntary coughing produces a distinct flow-volume profile.
- This profile includes transient supramaximal flow spikes and periods of zero flow due to glottis closure.
- Peak flow rates during cough decrease linearly with decreasing lung volume.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the information obtainable from cough flow-volume curves.
- To examine cough mechanics in a diverse age group (7-56 years).
- To explore the relationship between cough peak flow, airway conductance, and age-related changes.
Main Methods:
- Recording cough flow-volume curves in 42 subjects.
- Measuring airway conductance plethysmographically in children.
- Analyzing the cough ratio (forced expiratory flow to cough peak flow).
Main Results:
- Peak cough flow rates decrease linearly as lung volume decreases.
- In children, the rate of change of cough peak flow positively correlates with airway conductance.
- The cough ratio declines with age due to a proportionally greater fall in maximum expiratory flow-volume curve (MEFV) equivalent flow compared to cough peak flow.
Conclusions:
- Cough flow-volume curves provide valuable data on respiratory function.
- Age-related decline in expiratory capacity is partly explained by changes in cough mechanics.
- Further exploration of cough dynamics can enhance understanding of pulmonary health.