Breslin E H
University of California, Davis Medical Center and School of Medicine, Sacramento, USA.
Heart Lung. 1996 Jul-Aug;25(4):271-85; quiz 286-7. doi: 10.1016/s0147-9563(96)80062-8.
Respiratory muscle (RM) dysfunction is a progressive process, including both RM weakness and fatigue, that may advance to the point of respiratory failure. It occurs as a result of increased RM workloads, altered length-tension relationship of respiratory muscles, malnourished states, and altered cellular environment in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Consideration of multiple patient factors is necessary when identifying patient risk for RM dysfunction and designing plans of care. This article discusses the RM pump, including its measurement, in patients with COPD.
