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Phillips DB, James MD, Vincent SG, Elbehairy AF, Neder JA, Kirby M, Ora J, Day AG, Tan WC, Bourbeau J, O'Donnell DE. Physiological Characterization of Preserved Ratio Impaired Spirometry in the CanCOLD Study: Implications for Exertional Dyspnea and Exercise Intolerance. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2024; 209:1314-1327. [PMID: 38170674 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.202307-1184oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Rationale: It is increasingly recognized that adults with preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm) are prone to increased morbidity. However, the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are unknown. Objectives: Evaluate the mechanisms of increased dyspnea and reduced exercise capacity in PRISm. Methods: We completed a cross-sectional analysis of the CanCOLD (Canadian Cohort Obstructive Lung Disease) population-based study. We compared physiological responses in 59 participants meeting PRISm spirometric criteria (post-bronchodilator FEV1 < 80% predicted and FEV1/FVC ⩾ 0.7), 264 control participants, and 170 ever-smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), at rest and during cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Measurements and Main Results: Individuals with PRISm had lower total lung, vital, and inspiratory capacities than healthy controls (all P < 0.05) and minimal small airway, pulmonary gas exchange, and radiographic parenchymal lung abnormalities. Compared with healthy controls, individuals with PRISm had higher dyspnea/[Formula: see text]o2 ratio at peak exercise (4.0 ± 2.2 vs. 2.9 ± 1.9 Borg units/L/min; P < 0.001) and lower [Formula: see text]o2peak (74 ± 22% predicted vs. 96 ± 25% predicted; P < 0.001). At standardized submaximal work rates, individuals with PRISm had greater Vt/inspiratory capacity (Vt%IC; P < 0.001), reflecting inspiratory mechanical constraint. In contrast to participants with PRISm, those with COPD had characteristic small airways dysfunction, dynamic hyperinflation, and pulmonary gas exchange abnormalities. Despite these physiological differences among the three groups, the relationship between increasing dyspnea and Vt%IC during cardiopulmonary exercise testing was similar. Resting IC significantly correlated with [Formula: see text]o2peak (r = 0.65; P < 0.001) in the entire sample, even after adjusting for airflow limitation, gas trapping, and diffusing capacity. Conclusions: In individuals with PRISm, lower exercise capacity and higher exertional dyspnea than healthy controls were mainly explained by lower resting lung volumes and earlier onset of dynamic inspiratory mechanical constraints at relatively low work rates. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT00920348).
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Affiliation(s)
- Devin B Phillips
- School of Kinesiology and Health Science, Faculty of Health, and
- Muscle Health Research Center, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Respiratory Investigation Unit, Department of Medicine, Queen's University and Kingston Health Sciences Centre Kingston General Hospital Site, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Matthew D James
- Respiratory Investigation Unit, Department of Medicine, Queen's University and Kingston Health Sciences Centre Kingston General Hospital Site, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sandra G Vincent
- Respiratory Investigation Unit, Department of Medicine, Queen's University and Kingston Health Sciences Centre Kingston General Hospital Site, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Amany F Elbehairy
- Department of Chest Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
- Division of Infection, Immunity, and Respiratory Medicine, The University of Manchester, and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - J Alberto Neder
- Respiratory Investigation Unit, Department of Medicine, Queen's University and Kingston Health Sciences Centre Kingston General Hospital Site, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Miranda Kirby
- Department of Physics, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Josuel Ora
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital Policlinico Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrew G Day
- Kingston General Hospital Research Institute, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Wan C Tan
- Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, Providence Health Care Research Institute, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; and
| | - Jean Bourbeau
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Translational Research in Respiratory Diseases Program and Respiratory Epidemiology and Clinical Research Unit, and
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Denis E O'Donnell
- Respiratory Investigation Unit, Department of Medicine, Queen's University and Kingston Health Sciences Centre Kingston General Hospital Site, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
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Farah CS, Seccombe LM, King GG, Chapman DG, Irvin CG. An example of ventilatory limitation during cardiopulmonary exercise testing in a patient with COPD. Respirol Case Rep 2024; 12:e01360. [PMID: 38680667 PMCID: PMC11052662 DOI: 10.1002/rcr2.1360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
A 64-year-old obese gentleman attended for further evaluation of ongoing dyspnoea in the context of a previous diagnosis of moderate COPD treated with dual long-acting bronchodilators. A cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) was performed, which demonstrated reduced peak work and oxygen consumption with evidence of dynamic hyperinflation, abnormal gas exchange and ventilatory limitation despite cardiac reserve. The CPET clarified the physiological process underpinning the patient's dyspnoea and limiting the patient's activities. This, in turn, helped the clinician tailor the patient's management plan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claude S. Farah
- Faculty of Medicine and HealthThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Thoracic MedicineConcord Repatriation General HospitalSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health SciencesMacquarie UniversitySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Leigh M. Seccombe
- Faculty of Medicine and HealthThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Thoracic MedicineConcord Repatriation General HospitalSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Greg G. King
- Faculty of Medicine and HealthThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Respiratory Medicine and Airway Physiology and Imaging GroupRoyal North Shore HospitalSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Woolcock Institute of Medical ResearchMacquarie UniversitySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - David G. Chapman
- Respiratory Medicine and Airway Physiology and Imaging GroupRoyal North Shore HospitalSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Woolcock Institute of Medical ResearchMacquarie UniversitySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Charles G. Irvin
- Department of Medicine, Pulmonary and Critical Care MedicineUniversity of Vermont, Larner College of MedicineBurlingtonVermontUSA
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Hijleh AA, Wang S, Berton DC, Neder-Serafini I, Vincent S, James M, Domnik N, Phillips D, Nery LE, O'Donnell DE, Neder JA. Reference values for leg effort during incremental cycle ergometry in non-trained healthy men and women, aged 19-85. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2024; 34:e14625. [PMID: 38597357 DOI: 10.1111/sms.14625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Heightened sensation of leg effort contributes importantly to poor exercise tolerance in patient populations. We aim to provide a sex- and age-adjusted frame of reference to judge symptom's normalcy across progressively higher exercise intensities during incremental exercise. Two-hundred and seventy-five non-trained subjects (130 men) aged 19-85 prospectively underwent incremental cycle ergometry. After establishing centiles-based norms for Borg leg effort scores (0-10 category-ratio scale) versus work rate, exponential loss function identified the centile that best quantified the symptom's severity individually. Peak O2 uptake and work rate (% predicted) were used to threshold gradually higher symptom intensity categories. Leg effort-work rate increased as a function of age; women typically reported higher scores at a given age, particularly in the younger groups (p < 0.05). For instance, "heavy" (5) scores at the 95th centile were reported at ~200 W (<40 years) and ~90 W (≥70 years) in men versus ~130 W and ~70 W in women, respectively. The following categories of leg effort severity were associated with progressively lower exercise capacity: ≤50th ("mild"), >50th to <75th ("moderate"), ≥75th to <95th ("severe"), and ≥ 95th ("very severe") (p < 0.05). Although most subjects reporting peak scores <5 were in "mild" range, higher scores were not predictive of the other categories (p > 0.05). This novel frame of reference for 0-10 Borg leg effort, which considers its cumulative burden across increasingly higher exercise intensities, might prove valuable to judging symptom's normalcy, quantifying its severity, and assessing the effects of interventions in clinical populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abed A Hijleh
- Respiratory Investigation Unit, Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sophia Wang
- Respiratory Investigation Unit, Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Danilo C Berton
- Pulmonary Function Tests Laboratory, Federal University of Rio Grande to Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Igor Neder-Serafini
- Respiratory Investigation Unit, Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sandra Vincent
- Respiratory Investigation Unit, Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Matthew James
- Respiratory Investigation Unit, Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nicolle Domnik
- Respiratory Investigation Unit, Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Devin Phillips
- School of Kinesiology and Health Science, Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Luiz E Nery
- Clinical Exercise Physiology Unit, Division of Pulmonology, Department o Medicine, Federal University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Denis E O'Donnell
- Respiratory Investigation Unit, Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - J Alberto Neder
- Respiratory Investigation Unit, Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
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Callovini A, Fornasiero A, Savoldelli A, Decet M, Skafidas S, Pellegrini B, Bortolan L, Schena F. Independent, additive and interactive effects of acute normobaric hypoxia and cold on submaximal and maximal endurance exercise. Eur J Appl Physiol 2024; 124:1185-1200. [PMID: 37962573 PMCID: PMC10955012 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-023-05343-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the independent and combined effects of hypoxia (FiO2 = 13.5%) and cold (- 20 °C) on physiological and perceptual responses to endurance exercise. METHODS 14 trained male subjects ( V . O2max: 64 ± 5 mL/kg/min) randomly performed a discontinuous maximal incremental test to exhaustion on a motorized treadmill under four environmental conditions: Normothermic-Normoxia (N), Normothermic-Hypoxia (H), Cold-Normoxia (C) and Cold-Hypoxia (CH). Performance and physiological and perceptual responses throughout exercise were evaluated. RESULTS Maximal WorkLoad (WL) and WL at lactate threshold (LT) were reduced in C (- 2.3% and - 3.5%) and H (- 18.0% and - 21.7%) compared to N, with no interactive (p = 0.25 and 0.81) but additive effect in CH (- 21.5% and - 24.6%). Similarly, HRmax and Vemax were reduced in C (- 3.2% and - 14.6%) and H (- 5.0% and - 7%), showing additive effects in CH (- 7.7% and - 16.6%). At LT, additive effect of C (- 2.8%) and H (- 3.8%) on HR reduction in CH (- 5.7%) was maintained, whereas an interactive effect (p = 0.007) of the two stressors combined was noted on Ve (C: - 3.1%, H: + 5.5%, CH: - 10.9%). [La] curve shifted on the left in CH, displaying an interaction effect between the 2 stressors on this parameter. Finally, RPE at LT was exclusively reduced by hypoxia (p < 0.001), whereas TSmax is synergistically reduced by cold and hypoxia (interaction p = 0.047). CONCLUSION If compared to single stress exposure, exercise performance and physiological and perceptual variables undergo additive or synergistic effects when cold and hypoxia are combined. These results provide new insight into human physiological responses to extreme environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Callovini
- CeRiSM, Sport Mountain and Health Research Centre, University of Verona, Rovereto, Italy.
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
| | - A Fornasiero
- CeRiSM, Sport Mountain and Health Research Centre, University of Verona, Rovereto, Italy
- Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - A Savoldelli
- CeRiSM, Sport Mountain and Health Research Centre, University of Verona, Rovereto, Italy
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - M Decet
- CeRiSM, Sport Mountain and Health Research Centre, University of Verona, Rovereto, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - S Skafidas
- CeRiSM, Sport Mountain and Health Research Centre, University of Verona, Rovereto, Italy
| | - B Pellegrini
- CeRiSM, Sport Mountain and Health Research Centre, University of Verona, Rovereto, Italy
- Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - L Bortolan
- CeRiSM, Sport Mountain and Health Research Centre, University of Verona, Rovereto, Italy
- Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - F Schena
- CeRiSM, Sport Mountain and Health Research Centre, University of Verona, Rovereto, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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Ittermann T, Kaczmarek S, Obst A, Könemann R, Bahls M, Dörr M, Stubbe B, Heine A, Habedank D, Ewert R. Metabolic cost of unloading pedalling in different groups of patients with pulmonary hypertension and volunteers. Sci Rep 2024; 14:5394. [PMID: 38443426 PMCID: PMC10915286 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55980-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Recently, the parameter internal work (IW) has been introduced as change in oxygen uptake (VO2) between resting and unloading workload in cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). The proportional IW (PIW) was defined as IW divided by VO2 at peak exercise. A second option is to calculate the PIW based on the workload [PIW (Watt)] by considering the aerobic efficiency. The aim of our study was to investigate whether IW and PIW differ between patients with and without pulmonary hypertension and healthy controls. Our study population consisted of 580 patients and 354 healthy controls derived from the Study of Health in Pomerania. The PIW was slightly lower in patients (14.2%) than in healthy controls (14.9%; p = 0.030), but the PIW (Watt) was higher in patients (18.0%) than in the healthy controls (15.9%; p = 0.001). Such a difference was also observed, when considering only the submaximal workload up to the VAT (19.8% in patients and 15.1% in healthy controls; p < 0.001). Since the PIW (Watt) values were higher in patients with pulmonary hypertension, this marker may serve as a useful CPET parameter in clinical practice. In contrast to most of the currently used CPET parameters, the PIW does not require a maximal workload for the patient. Further studies are needed to validate the prognostic significance of the PIW.
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Affiliation(s)
- Till Ittermann
- Institute for Community Medicine - SHIP Clinical-Epidemiological Research, University Medicine Greifswald, Walther Rathenau Str. 48, 17475, Greifswald, Germany.
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
| | - Sabine Kaczmarek
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine B, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Anne Obst
- Department of Internal Medicine B, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Raik Könemann
- Department of Internal Medicine B, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Martin Bahls
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine B, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Marcus Dörr
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine B, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Beate Stubbe
- Department of Internal Medicine B, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Alexander Heine
- Department of Internal Medicine B, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Dirk Habedank
- Department of Internal Medicine, DRK Krankenhaus Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ralf Ewert
- Department of Internal Medicine B, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
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Ekström M, Li PZ, Lewthwaite H, Bourbeau J, Tan WC, Jensen D. Abnormal Exertional Breathlessness on Cardiopulmonary Cycle Exercise Testing in Relation to Self-Reported and Physiologic Responses in Chronic Airflow Limitation. Chest 2024:S0012-3692(24)00270-8. [PMID: 38423279 DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2024.02.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exertional breathlessness is a cardinal symptom of cardiorespiratory disease. RESEARCH QUESTION How does breathlessness abnormality, graded using normative reference equations during cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), relate to self-reported and physiologic responses in people with chronic airflow limitation (CAL)? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS An analysis was done of people aged ≥ 40 years with CAL undergoing CPET in the Canadian Cohort Obstructive Lung Disease study. Breathlessness intensity ratings (Borg CR10 scale [0-10 category-ratio scale for breathlessness intensity rating]) were evaluated in relation to power output, rate of oxygen uptake, and minute ventilation at peak exercise, using normative reference equations as follows: (1) probability of breathlessness normality (probability of having an equal or greater Borg CR10 rating among healthy people; lower probability reflecting more severe breathlessness) and (2) presence of abnormal breathlessness (rating above the upper limit of normal). Associations with relevant participant-reported and physiologic outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS We included 330 participants (44% women): mean ± SD age, 64 ± 10 years (range, 40-89 years); FEV1/FVC, 57.3% ± 8.2%; FEV1, 75.6% ± 17.9% predicted. Abnormally low exercise capacity (peak rate of oxygen uptake < lower limit of normal) was present in 26%. Relative to peak power output, rate of oxygen uptake, and minute ventilation, abnormally high breathlessness was present in 26%, 25%, and 18% of participants. For all equations, abnormally high exertional breathlessness was associated with worse lung function, exercise capacity, self-reported symptom burden, physical activity, and health-related quality of life; and greater physiologic abnormalities during CPET. INTERPRETATION Abnormal breathlessness graded using CPET normative reference equations was associated with worse clinical, physiological, and functional outcomes in people with CAL, supporting construct validity of abnormal exertional breathlessness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magnus Ekström
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Allergology and Palliative Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; Clinical Exercise and Respiratory Physiology Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, Faculty of Education, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.
| | - Pei Zhi Li
- Montreal Chest Institute, McGill University Health Center Research Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Hayley Lewthwaite
- Centre of Research Excellence Treatable Traits, College of Medicine, Health and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia; Asthma and Breathing Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Jean Bourbeau
- Montreal Chest Institute, McGill University Health Center Research Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Translational Research in Respiratory Diseases Program and Respiratory Epidemiology and Clinical Research Unit, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Wan C Tan
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Dennis Jensen
- Clinical Exercise and Respiratory Physiology Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, Faculty of Education, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada; Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Translational Research in Respiratory Diseases Program and Respiratory Epidemiology and Clinical Research Unit, Montréal, QC, Canada
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7
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El-Medany A, Adams ZH, Blythe HC, Hope KA, Kendrick AH, Abdala Sheikh AP, Paton JFR, Nightingale AK, Hart EC. Carotid body dysregulation contributes to Long COVID symptoms. COMMUNICATIONS MEDICINE 2024; 4:20. [PMID: 38374172 PMCID: PMC10876702 DOI: 10.1038/s43856-024-00447-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The symptoms of long COVID, which include fatigue, breathlessness, dysregulated breathing, and exercise intolerance, have unknown mechanisms. These symptoms are also observed in heart failure and are partially driven by increased sensitivity of the carotid chemoreflex. As the carotid body has an abundance of ACE2 (the cell entry mechanism for SARS-CoV-2), we investigated whether carotid chemoreflex sensitivity was elevated in participants with long COVID. METHODS Non-hositalised participants with long-COVID (n = 14) and controls (n = 14) completed hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR; the measure of carotid chemoreflex sensitivity) and cardiopulmonary exercise tests. Parametric and normally distributed data were compared using Student's unpaired t-tests or ANOVA. Nonparametric equivalents were used where relevant. Peason's correlation coefficient was used to examine relationships between variables. RESULTS During cardiopulmonary exercise testing the VE/VCO2 slope (a measure of breathing efficiency) was higher in the long COVID group (37.8 ± 4.4) compared to controls (27.7 ± 4.8, P = 0.0003), indicating excessive hyperventilation. The HVR was increased in long COVID participants (-0.44 ± 0.23 l/min/ SpO2%, R2 = 0.77 ± 0.20) compared to controls (-0.17 ± 0.13 l/min/SpO2%, R2 = 0.54 ± 0.38, P = 0.0007). The HVR correlated with the VE/VCO2 slope (r = -0.53, P = 0.0036), suggesting that excessive hyperventilation may be related to carotid body hypersensitivity. CONCLUSIONS The carotid chemoreflex is sensitised in long COVID and may explain dysregulated breathing and exercise intolerance in these participants. Tempering carotid body excitability may be a viable treatment option for long COVID patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed El-Medany
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Department of Cardiology, Southmead Hospital, North Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol, UK
- Bristol Heart Institute, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Zoe H Adams
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Hazel C Blythe
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Katrina A Hope
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Department of Anaesthetics, Southmead Hospital, North Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Adrian H Kendrick
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
| | | | - Julian F R Paton
- Manaaki Manawa, The Centre for Heart Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Angus K Nightingale
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Bristol Heart Institute, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Emma C Hart
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
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8
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Meda NS, Sherner JH, Holley AB. Dyspnea and Post-Pulmonary Embolism Syndrome after a Mild COVID-19 Infection. Ann Am Thorac Soc 2024; 21:151-157. [PMID: 38156895 DOI: 10.1513/annalsats.202304-332cc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Aaron B Holley
- Department of Pulmonary/Sleep and Critical Care Medicine, Medstar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC
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Ekström M, Li PZ, Lewthwaite H, Bourbeau J, Tan WC, Schiöler L, Brotto A, Stickland MK, Jensen D. Normative Reference Equations for Breathlessness Intensity during Incremental Cardiopulmonary Cycle Exercise Testing. Ann Am Thorac Soc 2024; 21:56-67. [PMID: 37708387 PMCID: PMC10867914 DOI: 10.1513/annalsats.202305-394oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is the gold standard to evaluate exertional breathlessness, a common and disabling symptom. However, the interpretation of breathlessness responses to CPET is limited by a scarcity of normative data. Objectives: We aimed to develop normative reference equations for breathlessness intensity (Borg 0-10 category ratio) response in men and women aged ⩾40 years during CPET, in relation to power output (watts), oxygen uptake, and minute ventilation. Methods: Analysis of ostensibly healthy people aged ⩾40 years undergoing symptom-limited incremental cycle CPET (10 W/min) in the CanCOLD (Canadian Cohort Obstructive Lung Disease) study. Participants had smoking histories <5 pack-years and normal lung function and exercise capacity. The probability of each Borg 0-10 category ratio breathlessness intensity rating by power output, oxygen uptake, and minute ventilation (as an absolute or a relative value [percentage of predicted maximum]) was predicted using ordinal multinomial logistic regression. Model performance was evaluated by fit, calibration, and discrimination (C statistic) and externally validated in an independent sample (n = 86) of healthy Canadian adults. Results: We included 156 participants (43% women) from CanCOLD; the mean age was 65 (range, 42-91) years, and the mean body mass index was 26.3 (standard deviation, 3.8) kg/m2. Reference equations were developed for women and men separately, accounting for age and/or body mass. Model performance was high across all equations, including in the validation sample (C statistic for men = 0.81-0.92, C statistic for women = 0.81-0.96). Conclusions: Normative reference equations are provided to compare exertional breathlessness intensity ratings among individuals or groups and to identify and quantify abnormal breathlessness responses (scores greater than the upper limit of normal) during CPET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magnus Ekström
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Respiratory Medicine, Allergology, and Palliative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Hayley Lewthwaite
- Centre of Research Excellence in Treatable Traits, College of Health, Medicine, and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, New Lambton, New South Wales, Australia
- UniSA: Allied Health and Human Performance, Innovation, Implementation and Clinical Translation in Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Jean Bourbeau
- Montreal Chest Institute and
- Translational Research in Respiratory Diseases Program and Respiratory Epidemiology and Clinical Research Unit, McGill University Health Center Research Institute, and
| | - Wan C. Tan
- Department of Medicine, Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Linus Schiöler
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; and
| | - Andrew Brotto
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Michael K. Stickland
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Dennis Jensen
- Translational Research in Respiratory Diseases Program and Respiratory Epidemiology and Clinical Research Unit, McGill University Health Center Research Institute, and
- Clinical Exercise and Respiratory Physiology Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, Faculty of Education, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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Brotto AR, Phillips DB, Rowland SD, Moore LE, Wong E, Stickland MK. Reduced tidal volume-inflection point and elevated operating lung volumes during exercise in females with well-controlled asthma. BMJ Open Respir Res 2023; 10:e001791. [PMID: 38135461 DOI: 10.1136/bmjresp-2023-001791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Individuals with asthma breathe at higher operating lung volumes during exercise compared with healthy individuals, which contributes to increased exertional dyspnoea. In health, females are more likely to develop exertional dyspnoea than males at a given workload or ventilation, and therefore, it is possible that females with asthma may develop disproportional dyspnoea on exertion. The purpose of this study was to compare operating lung volume and dyspnoea responses during exercise in females with and without asthma. METHODS Sixteen female controls and 16 females with asthma were recruited for the study along with 16 male controls and 16 males with asthma as a comparison group. Asthma was confirmed using American Thoracic Society criteria. Participants completed a cycle ergometry cardiopulmonary exercise test to volitional exhaustion. Inspiratory capacity manoeuvres were performed to estimate inspiratory reserve volume (IRV) and dyspnoea was evaluated using the Modified Borg Scale. RESULTS Females with asthma exhibited elevated dyspnoea during submaximal exercise compared with female controls (p<0.05). Females with asthma obtained a similar IRV and dyspnoea at peak exercise compared with healthy females despite lower ventilatory demand, suggesting mechanical constraint to tidal volume (VT) expansion. VT-inflection point was observed at significantly lower ventilation and V̇O2 in females with asthma compared with female controls. Forced expired volume in 1 s was significantly associated with VT-inflection point in females with asthma (R2=0.401; p<0.01) but not female controls (R2=0.002; p=0.88). CONCLUSION These results suggest that females with asthma are more prone to experience exertional dyspnoea, secondary to dynamic mechanical constraints during submaximal exercise when compared with females without asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew R Brotto
- Pulmonary Division, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Devin B Phillips
- Pulmonary Division, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- School of Kinesiology and Health Science, Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Samira D Rowland
- Pulmonary Division, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Linn E Moore
- Pulmonary Division, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Eric Wong
- Pulmonary Division, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Michael K Stickland
- Pulmonary Division, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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11
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Behnia M, Sietsema KE. Utility of Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Review. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis 2023; 18:2895-2910. [PMID: 38089541 PMCID: PMC10710955 DOI: 10.2147/copd.s432841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disease defined by airflow obstruction with a high morbidity and mortality and significant economic burden. Although pulmonary function testing is the cornerstone in diagnosis of COPD, it cannot fully characterize disease severity or cause of dyspnea because of disease heterogeneity and variable related and comorbid conditions affecting cardiac, vascular, and musculoskeletal systems. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is a valuable tool for assessing physical function in a wide range of clinical conditions, including COPD. Familiarity with measurements made during CPET and its potential to aid in clinical decision-making related to COPD can thus be useful to clinicians caring for this population. This review highlights pulmonary and extrapulmonary impairments that can contribute to exercise limitation in COPD. Key elements of CPET are identified with an emphasis on measurements most relevant to COPD. Finally, clinical applications of CPET demonstrated to be of value in the COPD setting are identified. These include quantifying functional capacity, differentiating among potential causes of symptoms and limitation, prognostication and risk assessment for operative procedures, and guiding exercise prescription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehrdad Behnia
- Pulmonary and Critical Care, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Kathy E Sietsema
- The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, USA
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12
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Babb TG, Balmain BN, Tomlinson AR, Hynan LS, Levine BD, MacNamara JP, Sarma S. Ventilatory limitations in patients with HFpEF and obesity. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 2023; 318:104167. [PMID: 37758032 PMCID: PMC11079902 DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2023.104167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) patients have an increased ventilatory demand. Whether their ventilatory capacity can meet this increased demand is unknown, especially in those with obesity. Body composition (DXA) and pulmonary function were measured in 20 patients with HFpEF (69 ± 6 yr;9 M/11 W). Cardiorespiratory responses, breathing mechanics, and ratings of perceived breathlessness (RPB, 0-10) were measured at rest, 20 W, and peak exercise. FVC correlated with %body fat (R2 =0.51,P = 0.0006), V̇O2peak (%predicted,R2 =0.32,P = 0.001), and RPB (R2 =0.58,P = 0.0004). %Body fat correlated with end-expiratory lung volume at rest (R2 =0.76,P < 0.001), 20 W (R2 =0.72,P < 0.001), and peak exercise (R2 =0.74,P < 0.001). Patients were then divided into two groups: those with lower ventilatory reserve (FVC<3 L,2 M/10 W) and those with higher ventilatory reserve (FVC>3.8 L,7 M/1 W). V̇O2peak was ∼22% less (p < 0.05) and RPB was twice as high at 20 W (p < 0.01) in patients with lower ventilatory reserve. Ventilatory reserves are limited in patients with HFpEF and obesity; indeed, the margin between ventilatory demand and capacity is so narrow that exercise capacity could be ventilatory limited in many patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony G Babb
- Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, TX, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
| | - Bryce N Balmain
- Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, TX, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Andrew R Tomlinson
- Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, TX, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Linda S Hynan
- Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health and Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Benjamin D Levine
- Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, TX, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - James P MacNamara
- Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, TX, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Satyam Sarma
- Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, TX, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
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13
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Gustafsson D, Elmberg V, Schiöler L, Jensen D, Ekström M. The modified Medical Research Council scale misclassifies exertional breathlessness among people referred for exercise testing. ERJ Open Res 2023; 9:00592-2023. [PMID: 38152083 PMCID: PMC10752288 DOI: 10.1183/23120541.00592-2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Exertional breathlessness is a major symptom in cardiorespiratory disease and is often assessed using the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) questionnaire. The mMRC might underestimate exertional breathlessness in people with impaired exercise capacity who have reduced their physical activity to avoid the symptom. We aimed to evaluate the ability of mMRC to detect abnormally high exertional breathlessness or abnormally low exercise capacity during incremental cycle exercise testing (IET). Methods A secondary analysis of data from a randomised controlled trial of outpatients aged 18 years or older referred for IET was carried out. Participants completed the mMRC before IET. Abnormally high exertional breathlessness was defined as a breathlessness (Borg 0-10) intensity response more than the upper limit of normal. Abnormally low exercise capacity was defined using published reference equations. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and discriminative ability of each mMRC rating to detect each outcomewas calculated. Results 92 participants were included; the mean age was 59 years, 61% were male, and 64% and 15% had mMRC 1 and ≥2, respectively. An mMRC ≥2 had the highest accuracy (71%) to detect abnormally high exertional breathlessness, with a specificity of 93% but a sensitivity of only 28%, failing to identify 72% of people with abnormally high exertional breathlessness. The accuracy, specificity and sensitivity for abnormally low exercise capacity was 64%, 88% and 19%, respectively. Conclusion Among people referred for clinical exercise testing, the mMRC dyspnoea scale misclassified exertional breathlessness and exercise capacity assessed using cycle IET, with substantial underdetection. A mMRC dyspnoea rating of 0-1 does not preclude the presence of abnormally high exertional breathlessness or abnormally low exercise capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Gustafsson
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Allergology and Palliative Medicine, Institution for Clinical Sciences in Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Blekinge Hospital, Karlskrona, Sweden
| | - Viktor Elmberg
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Allergology and Palliative Medicine, Institution for Clinical Sciences in Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Blekinge Hospital, Karlskrona, Sweden
| | - Linus Schiöler
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Dennis Jensen
- Clinical Exercise and Respiratory Physiology Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, Faculty of Education, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Translational Research in Respiratory Diseases Program and Respiratory Epidemiology and Clinical Research Unit, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Magnus Ekström
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Allergology and Palliative Medicine, Institution for Clinical Sciences in Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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14
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Haverkamp HC, Luu P, DeCato TW, Petrics G. Artificial neural network identification of exercise expiratory flow-limitation in adults. Sci Rep 2023; 13:17247. [PMID: 37821579 PMCID: PMC10567738 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-44331-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Identification of ventilatory constraint is a key objective of clinical exercise testing. Expiratory flow-limitation (EFL) is a well-known type of ventilatory constraint. However, EFL is difficult to measure, and commercial metabolic carts do not readily identify or quantify EFL. Deep machine learning might provide a new approach for identifying EFL. The objective of this study was to determine if a convolutional neural network (CNN) could accurately identify EFL during exercise in adults in whom baseline airway function varied from normal to mildly obstructed. 2931 spontaneous exercise flow-volume loops (eFVL) were placed within the baseline maximal expiratory flow-volume curves (MEFV) from 22 adults (15 M, 7 F; age, 32 yrs) in whom lung function varied from normal to mildly obstructed. Each eFVL was coded as EFL or non-EFL, where EFL was defined by eFVLs with expired airflow meeting or exceeding the MEFV curve. A CNN with seven hidden layers and a 2-neuron softmax output layer was used to analyze the eFVLs. Three separate analyses were conducted: (1) all subjects (n = 2931 eFVLs, [GRALL]), (2) subjects with normal spirometry (n = 1921 eFVLs [GRNORM]), (3) subjects with mild airway obstruction (n = 1010 eFVLs, [GRLOW]). The final output of the CNN was the probability of EFL or non-EFL in each eFVL, which is considered EFL if the probability exceeds 0.5 or 50%. Baseline forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity was 0.77 (94% predicted) in GRALL, 0.83 (100% predicted) in GRNORM, and 0.69 (83% predicted) in GRLOW. CNN model accuracy was 90.6, 90.5, and 88.0% in GRALL, GRNORM and GRLOW, respectively. Negative predictive value (NPV) was higher than positive predictive value (PPV) in GRNORM (93.5 vs. 78.2% for NPV vs. PPV). In GRLOW, PPV was slightly higher than NPV (89.5 vs. 84.5% for PPV vs. NPV). A CNN performed very well at identifying eFVLs with EFL during exercise. These findings suggest that deep machine learning could become a viable tool for identifying ventilatory constraint during clinical exercise testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Christian Haverkamp
- Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology, Washington State University-Spokane Health Sciences, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, 412 E. Spokane Falls Blvd., Spokane, WA, 99202-2131, USA.
| | - Peter Luu
- Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology, Washington State University-Spokane Health Sciences, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, 412 E. Spokane Falls Blvd., Spokane, WA, 99202-2131, USA
| | - Thomas W DeCato
- Department of Medical Education and Clinical Sciences, Washington State University-Spokane Health Sciences, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Spokane, WA, USA
- Division of Respiratory & Critical Care Physiology & Medicine, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and the Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Torrance, CA, USA
| | - Gregory Petrics
- Department of Mathematics, Vermont State University-Johnson, Johnson, VT, USA
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15
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Berton DC, Plachi F, James MD, Vincent SG, Smyth RM, Domnik NJ, Phillips DB, de-Torres JP, Nery LE, O'Donnell DE, Neder JA. Dynamic Ventilatory Reserve During Incremental Exercise: Reference Values and Clinical Validation in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Ann Am Thorac Soc 2023; 20:1425-1434. [PMID: 37413694 DOI: 10.1513/annalsats.202304-303oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Ventilatory demand-capacity imbalance, as inferred based on a low ventilatory reserve, is currently assessed only at peak cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). Peak ventilatory reserve, however, is poorly sensitive to the submaximal, dynamic mechanical ventilatory abnormalities that are key to dyspnea genesis and exercise intolerance. Objectives: After establishing sex- and age-corrected norms for dynamic ventilatory reserve at progressively higher work rates, we compared peak and dynamic ventilatory reserve for their ability to expose increased exertional dyspnea and poor exercise tolerance in mild to very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: We analyzed resting functional and incremental CPET data from 275 controls (130 men, aged 19-85 yr) and 359 Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease patients with stage 1-4 obstruction (203 men) who were prospectively recruited for previous ethically approved studies in three research centers. In addition to peak and dynamic ventilatory reserve (1 - [ventilation / estimated maximal voluntary ventilation] × 100), operating lung volumes and dyspnea scores (0-10 on the Borg scale) were obtained. Results: Dynamic ventilatory reserve was asymmetrically distributed in controls; thus, we calculated its centile distribution at every 20 W. The lower limit of normal (lower than the fifth centile) was consistently lower in women and older subjects. Peak and dynamic ventilatory reserve disagreed significantly in indicating an abnormally low test result in patients: whereas approximately 50% of those with a normal peak ventilatory reserve showed a reduced dynamic ventilatory reserve, the opposite was found in approximately 15% (P < 0.001). Irrespective of peak ventilatory reserve and COPD severity, patients who had a dynamic ventilatory reserve below the lower limit of normal at an isowork rate of 40 W had greater ventilatory requirements, prompting earlier attainment of critically low inspiratory reserve. Consequently, they reported higher dyspnea scores, showing poorer exercise tolerance compared with those with preserved dynamic ventilatory reserve. Conversely, patients with preserved dynamic ventilatory reserve but reduced peak ventilatory reserve reported the lowest dyspnea scores, showing the best exercise tolerance. Conclusions: Reduced submaximal dynamic ventilatory reserve, even in the setting of preserved peak ventilatory reserve, is a powerful predictor of exertional dyspnea and exercise intolerance in COPD. This new parameter of ventilatory demand-capacity mismatch may enhance the yield of clinical CPET in the investigation of activity-related breathlessness in individual patients with COPD and other prevalent cardiopulmonary diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilo C Berton
- Unidade de Fisiologia Pulmonar, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Franciele Plachi
- Unidade de Fisiologia Pulmonar, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Matthew D James
- Respiratory Investigation Unit, Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Queen's University and Kingston General Hospital, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sandra G Vincent
- Respiratory Investigation Unit, Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Queen's University and Kingston General Hospital, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Reginald M Smyth
- Respiratory Investigation Unit, Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Queen's University and Kingston General Hospital, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nicolle J Domnik
- Respiratory Investigation Unit, Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Queen's University and Kingston General Hospital, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Devin B Phillips
- Respiratory Investigation Unit, Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Queen's University and Kingston General Hospital, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
- School of Kinesiology and Health Science, Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and
| | - Juan P de-Torres
- Respiratory Investigation Unit, Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Queen's University and Kingston General Hospital, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Luiz E Nery
- Setor de Função Pulmonar e Fisiologia Clinica do Exercício, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Denis E O'Donnell
- Respiratory Investigation Unit, Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Queen's University and Kingston General Hospital, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - J Alberto Neder
- Respiratory Investigation Unit, Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Queen's University and Kingston General Hospital, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
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16
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Palmer T, Obst SJ, Aitken CR, Walsh J, Sabapathy S, Adams L, Morris NR. Fixed-intensity exercise tests to measure exertional dyspnoea in chronic heart and lung populations: a systematic review. Eur Respir Rev 2023; 32:230016. [PMID: 37558262 PMCID: PMC10410401 DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0016-2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Exertional dyspnoea is the primary diagnostic symptom for chronic cardiopulmonary disease populations. Whilst a number of exercise tests are used, there remains no gold standard clinical measure of exertional dyspnoea. The aim of this review was to comprehensively describe and evaluate all types of fixed-intensity exercise tests used to assess exertional dyspnoea in chronic cardiopulmonary populations and, where possible, report the reliability and responsiveness of the tests. METHODS A systematic search of five electronic databases identified papers that examined 1) fixed-intensity exercise tests and measured exertional dyspnoea, 2) chronic cardiopulmonary populations, 3) exertional dyspnoea reported at isotime or upon completion of fixed-duration exercise tests, and 4) published in English. RESULTS Searches identified 8785 papers. 123 papers were included, covering exercise tests using a variety of fixed-intensity protocols. Three modes were identified, as follows: 1) cycling (n=87), 2) walking (n=31) and 3) other (step test (n=8) and arm exercise (n=2)). Most studies (98%) were performed on chronic respiratory disease patients. Nearly all studies (88%) used an incremental exercise test. 34% of studies used a fixed duration for the exercise test, with the remaining 66% using an exhaustion protocol recording exertional dyspnoea at isotime. Exertional dyspnoea was measured using the Borg scale (89%). 7% of studies reported reliability. Most studies (72%) examined the change in exertional dyspnoea in response to different interventions. CONCLUSION Considerable methodological variety of fixed-intensity exercise tests exists to assess exertional dyspnoea and most test protocols require incremental exercise tests. There does not appear to be a simple, universal test for measuring exertional dyspnoea in the clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya Palmer
- Griffith University, School of Health Sciences and Social Work, Gold Coast, Australia
- Central Queensland University, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Bundaberg, Australia
- Menzies Health Institute, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
- Allied Health Research Collaborative, The Prince Charles Hospital, Queensland Health, Chermside, Australia
| | - Steven J Obst
- Central Queensland University, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Bundaberg, Australia
| | - Craig R Aitken
- Griffith University, School of Health Sciences and Social Work, Gold Coast, Australia
- Menzies Health Institute, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
- Allied Health Research Collaborative, The Prince Charles Hospital, Queensland Health, Chermside, Australia
- Heart and Lung Institute, The Prince Charles Hospital, Chermside, Australia
| | - James Walsh
- Griffith University, School of Health Sciences and Social Work, Gold Coast, Australia
- Allied Health Research Collaborative, The Prince Charles Hospital, Queensland Health, Chermside, Australia
- Heart and Lung Institute, The Prince Charles Hospital, Chermside, Australia
| | - Surendran Sabapathy
- Griffith University, School of Health Sciences and Social Work, Gold Coast, Australia
- Menzies Health Institute, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Lewis Adams
- Griffith University, School of Health Sciences and Social Work, Gold Coast, Australia
- Menzies Health Institute, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Norman R Morris
- Griffith University, School of Health Sciences and Social Work, Gold Coast, Australia
- Menzies Health Institute, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
- Allied Health Research Collaborative, The Prince Charles Hospital, Queensland Health, Chermside, Australia
- Heart and Lung Institute, The Prince Charles Hospital, Chermside, Australia
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17
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Villarraga N, Warner B, Bruhn EJ, Hammer SM, Bissen TG, Olson TP, Smith JR. Higher Work of Breathing During Exercise in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction. Chest 2023; 163:1492-1505. [PMID: 36470415 PMCID: PMC10258442 DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2022.11.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is unknown if pulmonary alterations in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) impact respiratory mechanics during exercise. RESEARCH QUESTION Are the operating lung volumes, work of breathing (Wb), and power of breathing (Pb) abnormal in patients with HFpEF during exercise? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS Patients with HFpEF (n = 8; median age, 71 years [interquartile range (IQR), 66-80 years]) and control participants (n = 9; median age, 68 years [IQR, 64-74 years]) performed incremental cycling to volitional exhaustion. Esophageal pressure, end-expiratory lung volume (EELV), inspiratory lung volume (EILV), and ventilatory variables were compared at similar absolute (30 and 50 L/min) and relative (45% of peak, 70% of peak, and 100% of peak) minute ventilation (V.E) during exercise. RESULTS During exercise, EELVs were not different between patients with HFpEF and control participants (P > .13 for all). EILVs were lower in patients with HFpEF than control participants at 45% and 70% V.E peak (P < .03 for all). Dynamic lung compliance was lower in patients with HFpEF than control participants at 30 L/min, 50 L/min, 45% V.E peak, and 100% V.E peak (P < .04 for all). Compared with control participants, patients with HFpEF showed higher total Wb and Pb at 30 L/min (Wb: median, 1.08 J/L [IQR, 0.93-1.82 J/L] vs 0.52 J/L [IQR, 0.43-0.71 J/L]; Pb: median, 36 J/min [IQR, 30-59 J/min] vs 17 J/min [IQR, 11-23 J/min] and 50 L/min; Wb: median, 1.40 J/L [IQR, 1.27-1.68 J/L] vs 0.90 J/L [IQR, 0.74-1.05 J/L]; Pb: median, 73 J/min [IQR, 60-83 J/min] vs 45 J/min [IQR, 33-63 J/min]; P < .01 for all). At 30 and 50 L/min, inspiratory and expiratory resistive Wb and Pb were higher in patients with HFpEF than control participants (P < .04 for all). Total Wb was higher for patients with HFpEF than control participants at 45% of V.E peak (P = .02). Total Pb was higher for control participants than patients with HFpEF at 100% V.E peak because of higher inspiratory resistive Pb (P < .04 for both). INTERPRETATION These data demonstrate the HFpEF syndrome is associated with pulmonary alterations eliciting a greater Pb during exercise resulting from greater inspiratory and expiratory resistive Pb.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Brit Warner
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Eric J Bruhn
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Shane M Hammer
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; School of Kinesiology, Applied Health and Recreation, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK
| | - Thomas G Bissen
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Thomas P Olson
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Joshua R Smith
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
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18
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Sharpe AL, Reibman J, Oppenheimer BW, Goldring RM, Liu M, Shao Y, Bohart I, Kwok B, Weinstein T, Addrizzo-Harris D, Sterman DH, Berger KI. Role of small airway dysfunction in unexplained exertional dyspnoea. ERJ Open Res 2023; 9:00603-2022. [PMID: 37284422 PMCID: PMC10240305 DOI: 10.1183/23120541.00603-2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Isolated small airway abnormalities may be demonstrable at rest in patients with normal spirometry; however, the relationship of these abnormalities to exertional symptoms remains uncertain. This study uses an augmented cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) to include evaluation of small airway function during and following exercise to unmask abnormalities not evident with standard testing in individuals with dyspnoea and normal spirometry. Methods Three groups of subjects were studied: 1) World Trade Center (WTC) dust exposure (n=20); 2) Clinical Referral (n=15); and Control (n=13). Baseline evaluation included respiratory oscillometry. Airway function during an incremental workload CPET was assessed by: 1) tidal flow versus volume curves during exercise to assess for dynamic hyperinflation and expiratory flow limitation; and 2) post-exercise spirometry and oscillometry to evaluate for airway hyperreactivity. Results All subjects demonstrated normal baseline forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC). Dyspnoea was reproduced during CPET in WTC and Clinical Referral groups versus Control without abnormality in respiratory pattern and minute ventilation. Tidal flow-volume curves uncovered expiratory flow limitation and/or dynamic hyperinflation with increased prevalence in WTC and Clinical Referral versus Control (55%, 87% versus 15%; p<0.001). Post-exercise oscillometry uncovered small airway hyperreactivity with increased prevalence in WTC and Clinical Referral versus Control (40%, 47% versus 0%, p<0.05). Conclusions We uncovered mechanisms for exertional dyspnoea in subject with normal spirometry that was attributable to either small airway dysfunction during exercise and/or small airway hyperreactivity following exercise. The similarity of findings in WTC environmentally exposed and clinically referred cohorts suggests broad relevance for these evaluations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis L. Sharpe
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- André Cournand Pulmonary Physiology Laboratory, Bellevue Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joan Reibman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Environmental Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Beno W. Oppenheimer
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- André Cournand Pulmonary Physiology Laboratory, Bellevue Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Roberta M. Goldring
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- André Cournand Pulmonary Physiology Laboratory, Bellevue Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mengling Liu
- Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yongzhao Shao
- Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Isaac Bohart
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- André Cournand Pulmonary Physiology Laboratory, Bellevue Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Benjamin Kwok
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- André Cournand Pulmonary Physiology Laboratory, Bellevue Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tatiana Weinstein
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- André Cournand Pulmonary Physiology Laboratory, Bellevue Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Doreen Addrizzo-Harris
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Daniel H. Sterman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kenneth I. Berger
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- André Cournand Pulmonary Physiology Laboratory, Bellevue Hospital, New York, NY, USA
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19
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Neder JA. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing applied to respiratory medicine: Myths and facts. Respir Med 2023; 214:107249. [PMID: 37100256 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2023.107249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) remains poorly understood and, consequently, largely underused in respiratory medicine. In addition to a widespread lack of knowledge of integrative physiology, several tenets of CPET interpretation have relevant controversies and limitations which should be appropriately recognized. With the intent to provide a roadmap for the pulmonologist to realistically calibrate their expectations towards CPET, a collection of deeply entrenched beliefs is critically discussed. They include a) the actual role of CPET in uncovering the cause(s) of dyspnoea of unknown origin, b) peak O2 uptake as the key metric of cardiorespiratory capacity, c) the value of low lactate ("anaerobic") threshold to differentiate cardiocirculatory from respiratory causes of exercise limitation, d) the challenges of interpreting heart rate-based indexes of cardiovascular performance, e) the meaning of peak breathing reserve in dyspnoeic patients, f) the merits and drawbacks of measuring operating lung volumes during exercise, g) how best interpret the metrics of gas exchange inefficiency such as the ventilation-CO2 output relationship, h) when (and why) measurements of arterial blood gases are required, and i) the advantages of recording submaximal dyspnoea "quantity" and "quality". Based on a conceptual framework that links exertional dyspnoea to "excessive" and/or "restrained" breathing, I outline the approaches to CPET performance and interpretation that proved clinically more helpful in each of these scenarios. CPET to answer clinically relevant questions in pulmonology is a largely uncharted research field: I, therefore, finalize by highlighting some lines of inquiry to improve its diagnostic and prognostic yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Alberto Neder
- Laboratory of Clinical Exercise Physiology and Respiratory Investigation Unit, Department of Medicine, Division of Respirology, Kingston Health Sciences Center, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
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20
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Milne KM, James MD, Smyth RM, Vincent SG, Singh N, D'Arsigny CL, de-Torres JP, de Wit K, Johri A, Neder JA, O'Donnell DE, Phillips DB. Neurophysiological mechanisms of exertional dyspnea in post-pulmonary embolism syndrome. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2023; 134:667-677. [PMID: 36701483 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00677.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Following pulmonary embolism (PE), a third of patients develop persistent dyspnea, which is commonly termed the post-PE syndrome. The neurophysiological underpinnings of exertional dyspnea in patients with post-PE syndrome without pulmonary hypertension (PH) are unclear. Thus, the current study determined if abnormally high inspiratory neural drive (IND) due, in part, to residual pulmonary gas-exchange abnormalities, was linked to heightened exertional dyspnea and exercise limitation, in such patients. Fourteen participants with post-PE syndrome (without resting PH) and 14 age-, sex-, and body mass index-matched healthy controls undertook pulmonary function testing and a symptom-limited cycle cardiopulmonary exercise test with measurements of IND (diaphragmatic electromyography), ventilatory requirements for CO2 (V̇e/V̇co2), and perceived dyspnea intensity (modified Borg 0-10 scale). Post-PE (vs. control) had a reduced resting transfer coefficient for carbon monoxide (KCO: 84 ± 15 vs. 104 ± 14%pred, P < 0.001) and peak oxygen uptake (V̇o2peak) (76 ± 14 vs. 124 ± 28%pred, P < 0.001). IND and V̇e/V̇co2 were higher in post-PE than controls at standardized submaximal work rates (P < 0.05). Dyspnea increased similarly in both groups as a function of increasing IND but was higher in post-PE at standardized submaximal work rates (P < 0.05). High IND was associated with low KCO (r = -0.484, P < 0.001), high V̇e/V̇co2 nadir (r = 0.453, P < 0.001), and low V̇o2peak (r = -0.523, P < 0.001). In patients with post-PE syndrome, exercise IND was higher than controls and was associated with greater dyspnea intensity. The heightened IND and dyspnea in post-PE, in turn, were strongly associated with low resting KCO and high exercise V̇e/V̇co2, which suggest important pulmonary gas-exchange abnormalities in this patient population.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study is the first to show that increased exertional dyspnea in patients with post-pulmonary embolism (PE) syndrome, without overt pulmonary hypertension, was strongly associated with elevated inspiratory neural drive (IND) to the diaphragm during exercise, compared with healthy controls. The greater IND was associated with impairments in pulmonary gas exchange and significant deconditioning. Our results help to explain why many patients with post-PE syndrome report significant dyspnea at relatively low levels of physical activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn M Milne
- Respiratory Investigation Unit, Department of Medicine, Queen's University and Kingston Health Sciences Centre Kingston General Hospital Campus, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.,Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, Providence Health Care Research Institute, University of British Columbia St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Division of Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Matthew D James
- Respiratory Investigation Unit, Department of Medicine, Queen's University and Kingston Health Sciences Centre Kingston General Hospital Campus, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Reginald M Smyth
- Respiratory Investigation Unit, Department of Medicine, Queen's University and Kingston Health Sciences Centre Kingston General Hospital Campus, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sandra G Vincent
- Respiratory Investigation Unit, Department of Medicine, Queen's University and Kingston Health Sciences Centre Kingston General Hospital Campus, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Namisha Singh
- Respiratory Investigation Unit, Department of Medicine, Queen's University and Kingston Health Sciences Centre Kingston General Hospital Campus, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christine L D'Arsigny
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Queen's University and Kingston Health Sciences Centre Kingston General Hospital Campus, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Juan P de-Torres
- Respiratory Investigation Unit, Department of Medicine, Queen's University and Kingston Health Sciences Centre Kingston General Hospital Campus, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kerstin de Wit
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Queen's University and Kingston Health Sciences Centre Kingston General Hospital Campus, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Amer Johri
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Queen's University and Kingston Health Sciences Centre Kingston General Hospital Campus, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - J Alberto Neder
- Respiratory Investigation Unit, Department of Medicine, Queen's University and Kingston Health Sciences Centre Kingston General Hospital Campus, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Denis E O'Donnell
- Respiratory Investigation Unit, Department of Medicine, Queen's University and Kingston Health Sciences Centre Kingston General Hospital Campus, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Devin B Phillips
- Respiratory Investigation Unit, Department of Medicine, Queen's University and Kingston Health Sciences Centre Kingston General Hospital Campus, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.,School of Kinesiology and Health Science, Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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21
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Smyth RM, Neder JA, James MD, Vincent SG, Milne KM, Marillier M, de-Torres JP, Moran-Mendoza O, O'Donnell DE, Phillips DB. Physiological underpinnings of exertional dyspnoea in mild fibrosing interstitial lung disease. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 2023; 312:104041. [PMID: 36858334 DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2023.104041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
The functional disturbances driving "out-of-proportion" dyspnoea in patients with fibrosing interstitial lung disease (f-ILD) showing only mild restrictive abnormalities remain poorly understood. Eighteen patients (10 with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis) showing preserved spirometry and mildly reduced total lung capacity (≥70% predicted) and 18 controls underwent an incremental cardiopulmonary exercise test with measurements of operating lung volumes and Borg dyspnoea scores. Patients' lower exercise tolerance was associated with higher ventilation (V̇E)/carbon dioxide (V̇CO2) compared with controls (V̇E/V̇CO2 nadir=35 ± 3 versus 29 ± 2; p < 0.001). Patients showed higher tidal volume/inspiratory capacity and lower inspiratory reserve volume at a given exercise intensity, reporting higher dyspnoea scores as a function of both work rate and V̇E. Steeper dyspnoea-work rate slopes were associated with lower lung diffusing capacity, higher V̇E/V̇CO2, and lower peak O2 uptake (p < 0.05). Heightened ventilatory demands in the setting of progressively lower capacity for tidal volume expansion on exertion largely explain higher-than-expected dyspnoea in f-ILD patients with largely preserved dynamic and "static" lung volumes at rest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reginald M Smyth
- Department of Medicine, Queen's University and Kingston Health Sciences Centre Kingston General Hospital, Kingston, ON, Canada.
| | - J Alberto Neder
- Department of Medicine, Queen's University and Kingston Health Sciences Centre Kingston General Hospital, Kingston, ON, Canada.
| | - Matthew D James
- Department of Medicine, Queen's University and Kingston Health Sciences Centre Kingston General Hospital, Kingston, ON, Canada.
| | - Sandra G Vincent
- Department of Medicine, Queen's University and Kingston Health Sciences Centre Kingston General Hospital, Kingston, ON, Canada.
| | - Kathryn M Milne
- Department of Medicine, Queen's University and Kingston Health Sciences Centre Kingston General Hospital, Kingston, ON, Canada; Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, Providence Health Care Research Institute, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| | - Mathieu Marillier
- HP2 Laboratory, INSERM U1300, Grenoble Alpes University, Grenoble, France.
| | - Juan P de-Torres
- Department of Medicine, Queen's University and Kingston Health Sciences Centre Kingston General Hospital, Kingston, ON, Canada.
| | - Onofre Moran-Mendoza
- Department of Medicine, Queen's University and Kingston Health Sciences Centre Kingston General Hospital, Kingston, ON, Canada.
| | - Denis E O'Donnell
- Department of Medicine, Queen's University and Kingston Health Sciences Centre Kingston General Hospital, Kingston, ON, Canada.
| | - Devin B Phillips
- Department of Medicine, Queen's University and Kingston Health Sciences Centre Kingston General Hospital, Kingston, ON, Canada.
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22
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Neder JA, Rocha A, Arbex FF, Alencar MCN, Sperandio PA, Hirai DM, Berton DC. Exertional oscillatory ventilation in subjects without heart failure reporting chronic dyspnoea. ERJ Open Res 2023; 9:00324-2022. [PMID: 36726368 PMCID: PMC9885272 DOI: 10.1183/23120541.00324-2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Oscillatory ventilation detected on incremental cardiopulmonary exercise testing might be found in subjects without heart failure reporting exertional dyspnoea despite the best available therapy for their underlying cardiopulmonary disease https://bit.ly/3Tyl7bE.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Alberto Neder
- Laboratory of Clinical Exercise Physiology (LACEP) and Respiratory Investigation Unit (RIU), Queen's University and Kingston General Hospital, Kingston, ON, Canada,J. Alberto Neder ()
| | - Alcides Rocha
- Pulmonary Function and Clinical Exercise Physiology Unit (SEFICE), Division of Respirology, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Flavio F. Arbex
- Pulmonary Function and Clinical Exercise Physiology Unit (SEFICE), Division of Respirology, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria Clara N. Alencar
- Pulmonary Function and Clinical Exercise Physiology Unit (SEFICE), Division of Respirology, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Priscila A. Sperandio
- Pulmonary Function and Clinical Exercise Physiology Unit (SEFICE), Division of Respirology, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Daniel M. Hirai
- Department of Health and Kinesiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Danilo C. Berton
- Division of Respirology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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23
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Dilken O, Rezoagli E, Yartaş Dumanlı G, Ürkmez S, Demirkıran O, Dikmen Y. Effect of prone positioning on end-expiratory lung volume, strain and oxygenation change over time in COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome: A prospective physiological study. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:1056766. [PMID: 36530873 PMCID: PMC9755177 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.1056766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prone position (PP) is a recommended intervention in severe classical acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Changes in lung resting volume, respiratory mechanics and gas exchange during a 16-h cycle of PP in COVID-19 ARDS has not been yet elucidated. METHODS Patients with severe COVID-19 ARDS were enrolled between May and September 2021 in a prospective cohort study in a University Teaching Hospital. Lung resting volume was quantitatively assessed by multiple breath nitrogen wash-in/wash-out technique to measure the end-expiratory lung volume (EELV). Timepoints included the following: Baseline, Supine Position (S1); start of PP (P0), and every 4-h (P4; P8; P12) until the end of PP (P16); and Supine Position (S2). Respiratory mechanics and gas exchange were assessed at each timepoint. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS 40 mechanically ventilated patients were included. EELV/predicted body weight (PBW) increased significantly over time. The highest increase was observed at P4. The highest absolute EELV/PBW values were observed at the end of the PP (P16 vs S1; median 33.5 ml/kg [InterQuartileRange, 28.2-38.7] vs 23.4 ml/kg [18.5-26.4], p < 0.001). Strain decreased immediately after PP and remained stable between P4 and P16. PaO2/FiO2 increased during PP reaching the highest level at P12 (P12 vs S1; 163 [138-217] vs 81 [65-97], p < 0.001). EELV/PBW, strain and PaO2/FiO2 decreased at S2 although EELV/PBW and PaO2/FiO2 were still significantly higher as compared to S1. Both absolute values over time and changes of strain and PaO2/FiO2 at P16 and S2 versus S1 were strongly associated with EELV/PBW levels. CONCLUSION In severe COVID-19 ARDS, EELV steadily increased over a 16-h cycle of PP peaking at P16. Strain gradually decreased, and oxygenation improved over time. Changes in strain and oxygenation at the end of PP and back to SP were strongly associated with changes in EELV/PBW. Whether the change in EELV and oxygenation during PP may play a role on outcomes in COVID-ARDS deserves further investigation. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION [www.ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [NCT04818164].
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Affiliation(s)
- Olcay Dilken
- Department of Intensive Care, Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Emanuele Rezoagli
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
- Department of Emergency and Intensive Care, ECMO Center, ASST Monza, San Gerardo University Teaching Hospital, Monza, Italy
| | - Güleren Yartaş Dumanlı
- Department of Intensive Care, Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Seval Ürkmez
- Department of Intensive Care, Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Oktay Demirkıran
- Department of Intensive Care, Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Yalım Dikmen
- Department of Intensive Care, Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Istanbul, Turkey
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24
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Breathlessness is a common, distressing, and limiting symptom that many people avoid by reducing their activity. This review discusses exertional tests that can be used for uncovering and assessing breathlessness depending on the person's severity of illness, function, the setting, and aim of the assessment. RECENT FINDINGS Standardized exertional tests are useful to uncover 'hidden' breathlessness earlier in people who may have adapted their physical activity to limit their breathing discomfort. In 'more fit' ambulatory people and outpatients, cardiopulmonary exercise testing is the gold standard for assessing symptom severity, underlying conditions, and mechanisms and treatment effects. Among field tests, the 6-min walk test is not useful for assessing breathlessness. Instead, the 3-min step test and walk test are validated for measuring breathlessness change in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In people with more severe illness (who are most often not breathless at rest), reported tests include upper limb exercise or counting numbers aloud, but a valid and useful test for this population is lacking. SUMMARY A framework for selecting the most appropriate test to assess breathlessness validly is proposed, and research needs are identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magnus Ekström
- Lund University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Respiratory Medicine, Allergology and Palliative Medicine, Lund, Sweden
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25
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Neder JA, Phillips DB, O'Donnell DE, Dempsey JA. Excess ventilation and exertional dyspnoea in heart failure and pulmonary hypertension. Eur Respir J 2022; 60:13993003.00144-2022. [PMID: 35618273 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.00144-2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Increased ventilation relative to metabolic demands, indicating alveolar hyperventilation and/or increased physiological dead space (excess ventilation), is a key cause of exertional dyspnoea. Excess ventilation has assumed a prominent role in the functional assessment of patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced (HFrEF) or preserved (HFpEF) ejection fraction, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). We herein provide the key pieces of information to the caring physician to 1) gain unique insights into the seeds of patients' shortness of breath and 2) develop a rationale for therapeutically lessening excess ventilation to mitigate this distressing symptom. Reduced bulk oxygen transfer induced by cardiac output limitation and/or right ventricle-pulmonary arterial uncoupling increase neurochemical afferent stimulation and (largely chemo-) receptor sensitivity, leading to alveolar hyperventilation in HFrEF, PAH and small-vessel, distal CTEPH. As such, interventions geared to improve central haemodynamics and/or reduce chemosensitivity have been particularly effective in lessening their excess ventilation. In contrast, 1) high filling pressures in HFpEF and 2) impaired lung perfusion leading to ventilation/perfusion mismatch in proximal CTEPH conspire to increase physiological dead space. Accordingly, 1) decreasing pulmonary capillary pressures and 2) mechanically unclogging larger pulmonary vessels (pulmonary endarterectomy and balloon pulmonary angioplasty) have been associated with larger decrements in excess ventilation. Exercise training has a strong beneficial effect across diseases. Addressing some major unanswered questions on the link of excess ventilation with exertional dyspnoea under the modulating influence of pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions might prove instrumental to alleviate the devastating consequences of these prevalent diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Alberto Neder
- Clinical Exercise Physiology and Respiratory Investigation Unit, Division of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Dept of Medicine, Queen's University and Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Devin B Phillips
- Clinical Exercise Physiology and Respiratory Investigation Unit, Division of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Dept of Medicine, Queen's University and Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Denis E O'Donnell
- Clinical Exercise Physiology and Respiratory Investigation Unit, Division of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Dept of Medicine, Queen's University and Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Jerome A Dempsey
- John Rankin Laboratory of Pulmonary Medicine, Dept of Population Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
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26
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Contreras-Briceño F, Espinosa-Ramírez M, Rozenberg D, Reid WD. Eccentric Training in Pulmonary Rehabilitation of Post-COVID-19 Patients: An Alternative for Improving the Functional Capacity, Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11101446. [PMID: 36290350 PMCID: PMC9598133 DOI: 10.3390/biology11101446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this narrative review is to highlight the oxidative stress induced in COVID-19 patients (SARS-CoV-2 infection), describe longstanding functional impairments, and provide the pathophysiologic rationale that supports aerobic eccentric (ECC) exercise as a novel alternative to conventional concentric (CONC) exercise for post-COVID-19 patients. Patients who recovered from moderate-to-severe COVID-19 respiratory distress demonstrate long-term functional impairment. During the acute phase, SARS-CoV-2 induces the generation of reactive oxygen species that can be amplified to a "cytokine storm". The resultant inflammatory and oxidative stress process causes organ damage, particularly in the respiratory system, with the lungs as the tissues most susceptible to injury. The acute illness often requires a long-term hospital stay and consequent sarcopenia. Upon discharge, muscle weakness compounded by limited lung and cardiac function is often accompanied by dyspnea, myalgia, anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbance. Consequently, these patients could benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation (PR), with exercise as a critical intervention (including sessions of strength and endurance or aerobic exercises). Unfortunately, conventional CONC exercises induce significant cardiopulmonary stress and increase inflammatory and oxidative stress (OS) when performed at moderate/high intensity, which can exacerbate debilitating dyspnoea and muscle fatigue post-COVID-19. Eccentric training (ECC) is a well-tolerated alternative that improves muscle mass while mitigating cardiopulmonary stress in patients with COPD and other chronic diseases. Similar benefits could be realized in post-COVID-19 patients. Consequently, these patients could benefit from PR with exercise as a critical intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Contreras-Briceño
- Laboratory of Exercise Physiology, Department of Health Science, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Av. Vicuña Mackenna #4860, Santiago 7820436, Chile
- Physiology Section, Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Marcoleta #367, Santiago 8380000, Chile
- Millennium Institute for Intelligent Healthcare Engineering, Av. Vicuña Mackenna #4860, Santiago 7820436, Chile
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +56-9-82288153
| | - Maximiliano Espinosa-Ramírez
- Laboratory of Exercise Physiology, Department of Health Science, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Av. Vicuña Mackenna #4860, Santiago 7820436, Chile
| | - Dmitry Rozenberg
- Department of Medicine, Respirology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4, Canada
- Toronto General Hospital, Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4, Canada
| | - W. Darlene Reid
- Department of Physical Therapy and Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4, Canada
- KITE Research Institute, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2A2, Canada
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27
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James MD, Phillips DB, Vincent SG, Abdallah SJ, Donovan AA, de-Torres JP, Neder JA, Smith BM, Jensen D, O'Donnell DE. Exertional dyspnoea in patients with mild-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): Neuromechanical mechanisms. J Physiol 2022; 600:4227-4245. [PMID: 35861594 DOI: 10.1113/jp283252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS Dyspnoea during exercise is a common and troublesome symptom reported by patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is linked to an elevated inspiratory neural drive (IND). The precise mechanisms of elevated IND and dyspnoea across the continuum of airflow obstruction severity in COPD remains unclear. The present study sought to determine the mechanisms of elevated IND [by diaphragm EMG, EMGdi (%max)] and dyspnoea during cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) across the continuum of COPD severity. There was a strong association between increasing dyspnoea intensity and EMGdi (%max) during CPET across the COPD continuum despite significant heterogeneity in underlying pulmonary gas exchange and respiratory mechanical impairments. Critical inspiratory constraints occurred at progressively lower ventilation during exercise with worsening severity of COPD. This was associated with the progressively lower resting inspiratory capacity with worsening disease severity. Earlier critical inspiratory constraint was associated with earlier neuromechanical dissociation and greater likelihood of reporting the sensation of 'unsatisfied inspiration'. ABSTRACT In patients with COPD, exertional dyspnoea generally arises when there is imbalance between ventilatory demand and capacity, but the neurophysiological mechanisms are unclear. We therefore determined if disparity between elevated inspiratory neural drive (IND) and tidal volume (VT ) responses (neuromechanical dissociation) impacted dyspnoea intensity and quality during exercise, across the COPD severity spectrum. In this two-centre, cross-sectional observational study, 89 participants with COPD divided into tertiles of FEV1 %predicted (Tertile 1 = FEV1 = 87 ± 9%, Tertile 2 = 60 ± 9%, Tertile 3 = 32 ± 8%) and 18 non-smoking controls, completed a symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPET) with measurement of IND by diaphragm electromyography [EMGdi (%max)]. The association between increasing dyspnoea intensity and EMGdi (%max) during CPET was strong (r = 0.730, P < 0.001) and not different between the four groups who showed marked heterogeneity in pulmonary gas exchange and mechanical abnormalities. Significant inspiratory constraints (tidal volume/inspiratory capacity (VT /IC) ≥ 70%) and onset of neuromechanical dissociation (EMGdi (%max):VT /IC > 0.75) occurred at progressively lower V̇E from Control to Tertile 3. Lower resting IC meant earlier onset of neuromechanical dissociation, heightened dyspnoea intensity and greater propensity (93% in Tertile 3) to select qualitative descriptors of 'unsatisfied inspiration'. We concluded that, regardless of marked variation in mechanical and pulmonary gas exchange abnormalities in our study sample, exertional dyspnoea intensity was linked to the magnitude of EMGdi (%max). Moreover, onset of critical inspiratory constraints and attendant neuromechanical dissociation amplified dyspnoea intensity at higher exercise intensities. Simple measurements of IC and breathing pattern during CPET provide useful insights into mechanisms of dyspnoea and exercise intolerance in individuals with COPD. Abstract figure legend As chronic obstructive pulmonary disease severity increases, worsening gas exchange and respiratory mechanical impairment causes increased afferent receptor stimulation, increasing inspiratory neural drive at a given ventilation. The widening disparity between progressively greater inspiratory neural drive and reduced ventilatory output causes, 'neuromechanical dissociation'. This is strongly associated with a rapid increase in the intensity of dyspnea during exercise, and the onset of the sensation of 'unsatisfied inspiration'. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D James
- Respiratory Investigation Unit, Department of Medicine, Queen's University and Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Devin B Phillips
- Respiratory Investigation Unit, Department of Medicine, Queen's University and Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Sandra G Vincent
- Respiratory Investigation Unit, Department of Medicine, Queen's University and Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Sara J Abdallah
- Clinical Exercise and Respiratory Physiology Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, Faculty of Education, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada.,Translational Research in Respiratory Diseases Program and Respiratory Epidemiology and Clinical Research Unit, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Adamo A Donovan
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Juan P de-Torres
- Respiratory Investigation Unit, Department of Medicine, Queen's University and Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - J Alberto Neder
- Respiratory Investigation Unit, Department of Medicine, Queen's University and Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Benjamin M Smith
- Translational Research in Respiratory Diseases Program and Respiratory Epidemiology and Clinical Research Unit, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Quebec, Canada.,Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Dennis Jensen
- Clinical Exercise and Respiratory Physiology Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, Faculty of Education, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada.,Translational Research in Respiratory Diseases Program and Respiratory Epidemiology and Clinical Research Unit, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Denis E O'Donnell
- Respiratory Investigation Unit, Department of Medicine, Queen's University and Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Kingston, ON, Canada
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- Respiratory Investigation Unit, Department of Medicine, Queen's University and Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Kingston, ON, Canada
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Beaudry RI, Brotto AR, Varughese RA, de Waal S, Fuhr DP, Damant RW, Ferrara G, Lam GY, Smith MP, Stickland MK. Persistent dyspnea after COVID-19 is not related to cardiopulmonary impairment; a cross-sectional study of persistently dyspneic COVID-19, non-dyspneic COVID-19 and controls. Front Physiol 2022; 13:917886. [PMID: 35874528 PMCID: PMC9297912 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.917886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Up to 53% of individuals who had mild COVID-19 experience symptoms for >3-month following infection (Long-CoV). Dyspnea is reported in 60% of Long-CoV cases and may be secondary to impaired exercise capacity (VO2peak) as a result of pulmonary, pulmonary vascular, or cardiac insult. This study examined whether cardiopulmonary mechanisms could explain exertional dyspnea in Long-CoV. Methods: A cross-sectional study of participants with Long-CoV (n = 28, age 40 ± 11 years, 214 ± 85 days post-infection) and age- sex- and body mass index-matched COVID-19 naïve controls (Con, n = 24, age 41 ± 12 years) and participants fully recovered from COVID-19 (ns-CoV, n = 14, age 37 ± 9 years, 198 ± 89 days post-infection) was conducted. Participants self-reported symptoms and baseline dyspnea (modified Medical Research Council, mMRC, dyspnea grade), then underwent a comprehensive pulmonary function test, cardiopulmonary exercise test, exercise pulmonary diffusing capacity measurement, and rest and exercise echocardiography. Results: VO2peak, pulmonary function and cardiac/pulmonary vascular parameters were not impaired in Long- or ns-CoV compared to normative values (VO2peak: 106 ± 25 and 107 ± 25%predicted, respectively) and cardiopulmonary responses to exercise were otherwise normal. When Long-CoV were stratified by clinical dyspnea severity (mMRC = 0 vs mMRC≥1), there were no between-group differences in VO2peak. During submaximal exercise, dyspnea and ventilation were increased in the mMRC≥1 group, despite normal operating lung volumes, arterial saturation, diffusing capacity and indicators of pulmonary vascular pressures. Interpretation: Persistent dyspnea after COVID-19 was not associated with overt cardiopulmonary impairment or exercise intolerance. Interventions focusing on dyspnea management may be appropriate for Long-CoV patients who report dyspnea without cardiopulmonary impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhys I. Beaudry
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Andrew R. Brotto
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Rhea A. Varughese
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Stephanie de Waal
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Desi P. Fuhr
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Ronald W. Damant
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Giovanni Ferrara
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Grace Y. Lam
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Maeve P. Smith
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Michael K. Stickland
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- G.F. MacDonald Centre for Lung Health, Covenant Health, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- *Correspondence: Michael K. Stickland,
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29
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Collins SÉ, Phillips DB, Brotto AR, Rampuri ZH, Stickland MK. Reply to: "Ventilatory efficiency in athletes, asthma and obesity": different ventilatory phenotypes during exercise in obesity? Eur Respir Rev 2022; 31:31/164/220054. [PMID: 35768131 DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0054-2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sophie É Collins
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.,Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Devin B Phillips
- Respiratory Investigation Unit, Dept of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Andrew R Brotto
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.,Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Zahrah H Rampuri
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Michael K Stickland
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada .,G.F. MacDonald Centre for Lung Health, Covenant Health, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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