[Diaphragmatic muscle fatigue--its diagnosis and treatment].

Transcutaneous stimulation electromyography of the diaphragm was performed in 64 patients suffering from chronic obstructive bronchitis (COB) to evaluate the function of the diaphragmatic muscle. Increased amplitude, area and shorter M-response gave evidence for the muscle fatigue. Changes in the above parameters correlated with the degree of the respiratory insufficiency and pulmonary hypertension. The authors included subcutaneous electrostimulation of the diaphragm in combined treatment of COB patients free of clinical manifestations indicating circulation decompensation. These patients benefited from the stimulation in contrast to COB patients with decompensated circulation who failed to respond to the procedure.