Chronotherapy in acutely ill patients with respiratory disorders: Part I. Respiratory chronobiology and chronopathology

Chronotherapy is a relatively new approach in patient care that is based on knowledge of the various biologic rhythms of the body. Treatment is aimed at supporting normal rhythms or altering therapies based on known variations in body rhythms. Application of chronotherapy concepts to the pathology of respiratory diseases is discussed to provide a basis for altering pharmacologic therapy in the care of critically ill patients with respiratory disorders.