Objective To explore the effects of different intensity of inspiratory muscle training on pulmonary function, hospitalisation time and quality of life of critically ill patients. Methods A total of 42 patients were included in the intensive care ward, high dependency ward, and cardiac surgery ward of the Southern Theatre General Hospital from January 2023 to June 2023, and were randomly divided into 14 cases in the control group, 14 cases in the low-intensity inspiratory muscle training group, and 14 cases in the moderate-intensity inspiratory muscle training group; conventional treatment was used for the control group, and 20% of the maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) was added as the starting threshold load for inspiratory muscle training for the patients of the low-intensity inspiratory muscle training group on the basis of conventional treatment. In the control group, conventional treatment was used; in the low-intensity inspiratory muscle training group, 20% of the maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) was added to the conventional treatment as the starting threshold load for inspiratory muscle training; in the medium-intensity inspiratory muscle training group, 40% of the MIP was added to the conventional treatment as the starting threshold load for inspiratory muscle training; and the maximal inspiratory pressure, exertional lung capacity, diaphragm thickness and mobility, hospital stay and quality of life were evaluated after 6 weeks of training. Results A total of 40 patients completed the training, and the three groups showed statistically significant differences in MIP (P<0.05) and statistically significant differences in exertional lung capacity (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in diaphragm thickness (P=0.566), and diaphragm mobility was lower in the control group than in the low-intensity inspiratory muscle training group (P=0.021), and there was also a difference between the low-intensity inspiratory muscle training group and the moderate-intensity inspiratory muscle training group (P=0.036); there was a difference in the length of stay in the care unit among the three groups (P=0.034), and there was no statistically different (P=0.149), and the duration of hospital stay was significantly shorter in the moderate intensity inspiratory muscle training group compared to the control group (P=0.016). Medium-intensity inspiratory muscle training can significantly improve patients' quality of life compared with the control group and low-intensity inspiratory muscle training group (P<0.05). Conclusions Both low-intensity inspiratory muscle training and moderate-intensity inspiratory muscle training can enhance the lung function of critically ill patients, improve their diaphragm mobility, and promote their pulmonary rehabilitation. Medium-intensity inspiratory muscle training was significantly better than low-intensity inspiratory muscle training in improving the lung function of patients. Moreover, moderate-intensity inspiratory muscle training may have positive significance in improving patients' quality of life and shortening their hospitalisation time.
ObjectiveTo analyze the relationship between preoperative pulmonary function indexes and postoperative pneumonia (POP) in patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal surgery.MethodsThe clinical data of 303 patients who underwent lung function examination and upper gastrointestinal surgery in West China Hospital, Sichuan University from September 2020 to January 2021 were prospectively collected and analyzed. There were 217 males and 86 females, with an average age of 61.61±10.42 years. Pulmonary function was evaluated from four aspects including ventilatory function, pulmonary volume, diffusion function and airway resistance. Relevant pulmonary function indicators were displayed as the percentage of actual measured value to predicted value (%pred). The outcome index was pneumonia within 30 days after the surgery. Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between preoperative pulmonary function indicators and POP.ResultsA total of 196 patients with gastric cancer and 107 patients with esophageal cancer were included, and the incidence of POP in patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal surgery was 26.7% (81/303). Patients with preoperative low peak expiratory flow (PEF%pred) had a 3.094 times higher risk of developing POP than those with normal PEF%pred [OR=3.094, 95%CI (1.362, 7.032), P=0.007]. The incidence of POP had no correlation with the other preoperative indicators.ConclusionPreoperative PEF%pred may be an important indicator for predicting the occurrence of POP in patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal surgery.
Monitoring airway impedance has significant clinical value in accurately assessing and diagnosing pulmonary function diseases at an early stage. To address the issue of large oscillator size and high power consumption in current pulmonary function devices, this study adopts a new strategy of expiration-driven oscillation. A lightweight and low-power airway impedance monitoring system with integrated sensing, control circuitry, and dynamic feedback system, providing visual feedback on the system’s status, was developed. The respiratory impedance measurement experiments and statistical comparisons indicated that the system could achieve stable measurement of airway impedance at 5 Hz. The frequency spectrum curves of respiratory impedance (R and X) showed consistent trends with those obtained from the clinical pulmonary function instrument, specifically the impulse oscillometry system (IOS). The differences between them were all less than 1.1 cm H2O·s/L. Additionally, there was a significant statistical difference in the respiratory impedance R5 between the exercise and rest groups, which suggests that the system can measure the variability of airway resistance parameters during exercise. Therefore, the impedance monitoring system developed in this study supports subjects in performing handheld, continuous measurements of dynamic changes in airway impedance over an extended period of time. This research provides a foundation for further developing low-power, portable, and even wearable devices for dynamic monitoring of pulmonary function.
ObjectiveTo investigate the correlation between brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and cardiopulmonary function, as well as explore prognostic value of BNP in patients with interstitial lung disease(ILD). MethodsThe clinical data of ILD patients admitted between February 2010 and April 2013 were retrospectively analyzed.The relationship between serum BNP level and cardiopulmonary function was analyzed by Pearson's or Spearman's rank correlation test.Meanwhile, the patients were divided into a survivor group and a death group, as well as a pulmonary hypertention (PH) group and a normal group respectively.Clinical data were compared between two groups. ResultsThere were 38 patients included in the study.BNP concentration was correlated with echocardiographic indices of right heart function, including systolic pressure of pulmonary artery, right atrial inlet diameter, right ventricular inlet diameter, and right ventricular end-diastollc diameter (P < 0.05), but not correlated with echocardiographic parameters of left heart function (P > 0.05).BNP was also correlated with DLCO%pred.BNP and right heart function parameters except right atrial inlet diameter were significantly higher, and DLCO%pred, were significantly lower in the death group and the PH group than those in the survivor group and the normal group (P < 0.05). ConclusionsSerum BNP concentration can reflect right heart function appropriately, suggesting pulmonary vascular impairment in ILD patients contributes to increased pulmonary vascular resistance.Elevated BNP levels are associated with increased mortality and poor prognosis in patients with ILD.
ObjectiveThe pleural injury caused by harvesting internal mammary artery (LIMA) can significantly increase the possibility of early pleural effusion after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG). We compared the differences in pleural effusion, pain severity, and early lung function in different treatments to find the optimal strategy.MethodsA total of 300 patients receiving OPCABG using LIMA with left pleural lesion were selected (176 males and 124 females, mean age of 63.1±8.7 years). After bypass surgery, patients with pleural rupture were randomly divided into three groups: group A (n=100) received a pericardial drainage tube and a left chest tube inserted from the midline (subxyphoid); group B (n=100) had a pericardial drainage tube and a tube placed in the sixth intercostal space at the midaxillary line; group C (n=100) with the broken pleura sutured, had a pericardial drainage tube and a mediastinal drainage tube inserted. All patients underwent pulmonary function testing and arterial blood gas analysis on postoperative days (PODs) 5. The three methods were analyzed and evaluated.ResultsTotal drainage: group B (852±285 ml)>group C (811±272 ml)>group A (703±226 ml); there was no significant difference between the group B and group C, but they were statistically different from the group A (P<0 05="" patients="" with="" pleural="" effusion="" after="" removal="" of="" drainage="" tubes:="" group="" a="" 13="" patients="">group B (7 patients)>group C (3 patients), and there was significant difference among the three groups (P<0 05="" pain="" sensation="" the="" day="" after="" extubation:="" group="" b="" 2="" 4="" 0="" 8="" 3="" 8="" 0="" 9="">group A (1.9±0.7, 3.3±0.8)>group C (1.1±0.6, 2.5±0.8), there was significant difference among the three groups (P<0 05="" pain="" sensationon="" on="" postoperative="" days="" 5:="" group="" b="" 0="" 3="" 0="" 2="" 0="" 6="" 0="" 5="">group A (0.3±0.3, 0.5±0.4)>group C (0.2±0.2, 0.5±0.3), and there was no significant difference among the three groups. Vital capacity on postoperative days 5: there was no significant difference between the group B and group C, and both groups were greater than group A (P<0.05). There was no difference in FEV1 and PCO2 among the three groups. Group C was better than group A in PO2 on postoperative day 5 (P<0.05).ConclusionSuturing the broken pleura during the operation can not only reduce the degree of postoperative pain but also have less pleural effusion and better pulmonary function. It can be used as the preferred method.
The pulmonary rehabilitation treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has become a current research hotspot. Pulmonary rehabilitation can effectively improve the lung function, quality of life, and physical and mental health, reduce the risk of death, but there are still certain limitations in the implementation of pulmonary rehabilitation for COPD. Based on existing research, this article introduces the benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation for COPD, and elaborates on the timing, location selection, and course of pulmonary rehabilitation, aiming to provide a basis for developing personalized pulmonary rehabilitation plans for COPD.
ObjectiveTo explore the application effects of hand-sewn layered anastomosis (HS) and circular stapled anastomosis (CS) in inflatable mediastinal mirror synchronous laparoscopic radical esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. MethodsPatients who underwent inflatable mediastinal mirror synchronous laparoscopic radical esophagectomy for esophageal cancer in Huaihe Hospital of Henan University from 2018 to 2019 were retrospectively included. Patients were divided into a HS group and a CS group according to the anastomosis methods, and propensity score matching was used to match patients at a ratio of 1:1. The baseline clinical characteristics, perioperative indicators, CD4+/CD8+ immune index comparison, pain, various lung function indicators, incidence of short-term and long-term postoperative complications, and quality of life were compared between the two groups. ResultsA total of 153 patients were included, including 108 males and 45 females, with an average age of (61.81±5.18) years. After propensity score matching, 70 patients were included in each group. Compared with the CS group, the operation time was longer in the HS group [(107.10±8.25) min vs. (97.65±6.85) min, P<0.001]; the CD4+/CD8+ level was lower in the HS group 1-3 days after surgery; the pain score was higher, and various lung function indicators (forced expiratory volume in the first second, forced vital capacity, and one-second rate) were lower in the HS group 1-7 days after surgery; within 6 months after surgery, the incidence of anastomosis-related complications (anastomotic stenosis, anastomotic fistula, and gastroesophageal reflux) was lower in the HS group; and the quality of life score was higher in the HS group from 14 days to 6 months after surgery (P<0.05). ConclusionHS can reduce the incidence of postoperative anastomotic fistula, anastomotic stenosis, and gastroesophageal reflux, and improve the short-term quality of life of patients, but it has a longer operation time, more intense short-term postoperative pain, and may affect the early recovery of lung function. HS and CS are complementary, and the appropriate surgical method should be chosen according to the individual situation of the patient to achieve the maximum clinical benefit.
Objective To observe the clinical characteristics of asthma patients with chronic duration stage combined with small airway dysfunction (SAD), and analyze the influencing factors of SAD and the cardiopulmonary function of such patients under exercise. Methods The patients with chronic duration of asthma admitted to Nanjing Affiliated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from July 2022 to April 2024 were divided into a SAD group and a non-SAD group according to the lung function results. Clinical data and relevant data of cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) were collected, the clinical data and cardiopulmonary function between the two groups were compared. The influencing factors of SAD were explored by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results A total of 102 patients with chronic asthma duration, 59 (57.8%) in the SAD group and 43 (42.2%) in the non-SAD group were included. In the SAD group, age, body masss index, asthma duration were greater than those in the non-SAD group, and SAD score was lower than that in the non-SAD group; the proportion of patients with acute onset of asthma, history of smoking, allergic rhinitis, and asthma control test score were higher than those in the non-SAD group, the exhaled nitric oxide level of SAD group was higher than that in the non-SAD group, and the conventional lung function level was lower than that in the non-SAD group (P<0.05). CPET showed that the VE/VCO2 slope and CO2 equivalent in the SAD group were higher than those in the non-SAD group, and the peak kg oxygen uptake, peak heart rate, and respiratory reserve were lower than those in the non-SAD group, showing a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic analysis showed that age, increase of carbon dioxide equivalent at peak exercise, acute onset of asthma and allergic rhinitis were independent risk factors for SAD, and the increase of peak expiratory flow rate was the protective factor (P<0.05). Conclusions SAD in chronic persistent asthma is affected by various factors such as age, acute asthma attacks and history of allergic rhinitis. CPET indicates that patients with asthma who also have SAD have their cardiopulmonary function and aerobic capacity impaired to some extent.
ObjectiveTo explore the application value of dual-phase dual-energy CT (DECT) perfusion imaging in preoperative lung function assessment of lung cancer patients. MethodsData were collected from patients with stageⅠA non-small cell lung cancer who underwent surgical treatment in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, from November 2022 to June 2024. All patients underwent DECT perfusion imaging and pulmonary function testing (PFT) before surgery. PFT observation indicators included ventilation function indicators such as forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), 1-second rate (FEV1/FVC), maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV), and diffusion function indicators such as diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and DLCO per liter of alveolar volume (DLCO/VA). The software eXamine was used to obtain quantitative parameters of DECT perfusion imaging, including volume parameters and perfusion parameters of both lungs and each lung lobe. The correlation between the volume parameters and perfusion parameters of both lungs and the ventilation and diffusion function indicators of the patients, as well as the differences in quantitative parameters of each lung lobe, was analyzed. ResultsThe end-inspiration lung volume and biphasic volume difference were strongly positively correlated with FEV1 and FVC (r=0.636, r=0.682, r=0.614, r=0.624, P<0.001) and moderately positively correlated with MVV and DLCO (r=0.499, r=0.514, r=0.549, r=0.447, P<0.001); the end-expiration lung volume was weakly negatively correlated with DLCO/VA (r=−0.295, P=0.026); the volume ratio was positively correlated with FEV1, FVC, MVV, and MVV% (r=0.424, r=0.399, r=0.415, r=0.310, P<0.05); the end-inspiration iodine content was weakly positively correlated with DLCO/VA% (rs=0.292, P=0.030); the end-expiration iodine content was weakly positively correlated with FEV1, FVC, MVV, DLCO%, and DLCO/VA (r=0.307, r=0.299, r=0.295, r=0.366, r=0.320, P<0.05) and moderately positively correlated with DLCO (r=0.439, P<0.001); the end-inspiration iodine concentration was negatively correlated with FEV1, FVC, MVV, and MVV% (rs=−0.407, rs=−0.426, rs=−0.352, rs=−0.277, P＜0.05); the end-expiratory phase iodine concentration is moderately positively correlated with DLCO/VA (r=0.403, P=0.002); both the iodine concentration difference and the iodine concentration ratio are moderately positively correlated with FEV1, FEV1%, FVC, MVV, MVV% (P<0.05). The lung volume and iodine concentration ratio values are both highest in the left upper lung lobe and lowest in the right middle lung lobe; the differences in lung volume, lung volume ratio, intrapulmonary iodine content, and intrapulmonary iodine concentration difference, from high to low, are in the lower lobes of both lungs, the upper lobes of both lungs, and the right middle lung lobe. ConclusionDual-phase DECT perfusion imaging can accurately assess overall lung function and quantify regional lung function.
ObjectiveTo explore the effects of Baduanjin combined with breathing exercises and bedside cycle training on the recovery of lung function in patients after thoracoscopic surgery for lung cancer. MethodsPatients who underwent thoracoscopic radical surgery for lung cancer at the Huaihe Hospital of Henan University from January 2024 to January 2025 were selected. Through the random number table method, patients were randomly divided into a Baduanjin combined with breathing exercises group (experimental group) and a bedside cycle group (control group). The changes in lung function indicators, pain levels, exercise endurance, cellular immunity, and inflammatory factor levels before and after rehabilitation training in both groups were compared to evaluate the clinical effects of the two rehabilitation methods. ResultsA total of 100 patients were included, with 52 in the experimental group, including 28 males and 24 females, with an average age of (57.50±7.15) years; and 48 in the control group, including 26 males and 22 females, with an average age of (57.80±6.40) years. There was no statistical difference in baseline data between the two groups (P＞0.05). In the experimental group, the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) [(2.48±0.32) L vs. (2.00±0.27) L, P＜0.001], forced vital capacity (FVC) [(3.55±0.42) L vs. (2.95±0.34) L, P＜0.001], and FEV1/FVC (69.9%±3.8% vs. 67.8%±3.6%, P=0.006) were higher, pain scores were lower [(1.4±0.4) points vs. (2.0±0.5) points, P＜0.001], 6-minute walking distance was longer [(432.35±30.84) m vs. (411.82±33.75) m, P=0.002], CD4+/CD8+ ratio was higher (1.72±0.32 vs. 1.52±0.29, P=0.002), and levels of tumor necrosis factor-α [(8.1±1.8) pg/mL vs. (9.2±2.1) pg/mL, P=0.006] and interleukin-6 [(8.3±2.1) ng/L vs. (10.1±2.7) ng/L, P＜0.001] were lower. ConclusionThe combination of Baduanjin and breathing exercises is superior to bedside stationary bike training in improving lung function, reducing pain levels, enhancing exercise endurance, decreasing pro-inflammatory factor levels, and boosting immune function in patients post-thoracotomy for lung cancer. As a equipment-free, low-cost, and easy-to-implement rehabilitation method, it holds high clinical application value, offering a more scientific and economical option for postoperative lung cancer patients' pulmonary rehabilitation.