Respiratory changes in parasternal intercostal length

1984 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 1254-1260 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Decramer ◽  
A. De Troyer

In an attempt to understand the role of the parasternal intercostals in respiration, we measured the changes in length of these muscles during a variety of static and dynamic respiratory maneuvers. Studies were performed on 39 intercostal spaces from 10 anesthetized dogs, and changes in parasternal intercostal length were assessed with pairs of piezoelectric crystals (sonomicrometry). During static maneuvers (passive inflation-deflation, isovolume maneuvers, changes in body position), the parasternal intercostals shortened whenever the rib cage inflated, and they lengthened whenever the rib cage contracted. The changes in parasternal intercostal length, however, were much smaller than the changes in diaphragmatic length, averaging 9.2% of the resting length during inflation from residual volume to total lung capacity and 1.3% during tilting from supine to upright. During quiet breathing the parasternal intercostals always shortened during inspiration and lengthened during expiration. In the intact animals the inspiratory parasternal shortening was close to that seen for the same increase in lung volume during passive inflation and averaged 3.5%. After bilateral phrenicotomy, however, the parasternal intercostal shortening during inspiration markedly increased, whereas tidal volume diminished. These results indicate that 1) the parasternal intercostals in the dog are real agonists (as opposed to fixators) and actively contribute to expand the rib cage and the lung during quiet inspiration, 2) the relationship between lung volume and parasternal length is not unique but depends on the relative contribution of the various inspiratory muscles to tidal volume, and 3) the physiological range of operating length of the parasternal intercostals is considerably smaller than that of the diaphragm.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

1991 ◽  
Vol 70 (4) ◽  
pp. 1554-1562 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Road ◽  
A. M. Leevers ◽  
E. Goldman ◽  
A. Grassino

Active expiration is produced by the abdominal muscles and the rib cage expiratory muscles. We hypothesized that the relative contribution of these two groups to expiration would affect diaphragmatic length and, hence, influence the subsequent inspiration. To address this question we measured the respiratory muscle response to expiratory threshold loading in spontaneously breathing anesthetized dogs. Prevagotomy, the increase in lung volume (functional residual capacity) and decrease in initial resting length of the diaphragm were attenuated by greater than 50% of values predicted by the passive relationships. Diaphragmatic activation (electromyogram) increased and tidal volume (VT) was preserved. Postvagotomy, effective expiratory muscle recruitment was abolished. The triangularis sterni muscle remained active, and the increase in lung volume was attenuated by less than 15% of that predicted by the passive relationship. Diaphragmatic length was shorter than predicted. VT was not restored, even though costal diaphragmatic and parasternal intercostal electromyogram increased. During expiratory threshold loading with abdominal muscles resected and vagus intact, recruitment of the rib cage expiratory muscles produced a reduction in lung volume comparable with prevagotomy; however, diaphragmatic length decreased markedly. Both the rib cage and abdominal expiratory muscles may defend lung volume; however, their combined action is important to restore diaphragmatic initial length and, accordingly, to preserve VT.


1989 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 1438-1442 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. A. Farkas ◽  
M. Estenne ◽  
A. De Troyer

A change from the supine to the head-up posture in anesthetized dogs elicits increased phasic expiratory activation of the rib cage and abdominal expiratory muscles. However, when this postural change is produced over a 4- to 5-s period, there is an initial apnea during which all the muscles are silent. In the present studies, we have taken advantage of this initial silence to determine functional residual capacity (FRC) and measure the subsequent change in end-expiratory lung volume. Eight animals were studied, and in all of them end-expiratory lung volume in the head-up posture decreased relative to FRC [329 +/- 70 (SE) ml]. Because this decrease also represents the increase in lung volume as a result of expiratory muscle relaxation at the end of the expiratory pause, it can be used to determine the expiratory muscle contribution to tidal volume (VT). The average contribution was 62 +/- 6% VT. After denervation of the rib cage expiratory muscles, the reduction in end-expiratory lung volume still amounted to 273 +/- 84 ml (49 +/- 10% VT). Thus, in head-up dogs, about two-thirds of VT result from the action of the expiratory muscles, and most of it (83%) is due to the action of the abdominal rather than the rib cage expiratory muscles.


1980 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 794-798 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. C. Lloyd ◽  
J. A. Cooper

Using anesthetized spontaneously breathing dogs, we compared the respiratory effects of tracheal distension with the effects of changes in lung volume before and after vagotomy. We used an endotracheal tube with a long cuff to distend the trachea to pressures of 10, 20, and 40 cmH2O. Lung volume increases were imposed by expiratory threshold loading, and volume was decreased by abdominal compression, both of which caused outward rib cage displacement. During expiratory loading, the tidal volume was unchanged but respiratory frequency and minute volume fell and an active expiratory effort appeared; whereas frequency and minute volume rose, but tidal volume fell during abdominal compression. Tracheal distension evoked no discernible change in breathing. Following vagotomy, tidal volume and minute volume fell, and frequency rose slightly, during expiratory loading but abdominal compression was without effect. After vagotomy, 40 cmH2O tracheal distension caused a slight frequency increase. We concluded that the potential role of tracheal deformation in the reflex control of breathing is insignificant in comparison with the other airways.


1989 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 1190-1196 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Brusasco ◽  
D. O. Warner ◽  
K. C. Beck ◽  
J. R. Rodarte ◽  
K. Rehder

To determine the sensitivity of pulmonary resistance (RL) to changes in breathing frequency and tidal volume, we measured RL in intact anesthetized dogs over a range of breathing frequencies and tidal volumes centering around those encountered during quiet breathing. To investigate mechanisms responsible for changes in RL, the relative contribution of airway resistance (Raw) and tissue resistance (Rti) to RL at similar breathing frequencies and tidal volumes was studied in six excised, exsanguinated canine left lungs. Lung volume was sinusoidally varied, with tidal volumes of 10, 20, and 40% of vital capacity. Pressures were measured at three alveolar sites (PA) with alveolar capsules and at the airway opening (Pao). Measurements were made during oscillation at five frequencies between 5 and 45 min-1 at each tidal volume. Resistances were calculated by assuming a linear equation of motion and submitting lung volume, flow, Pao, and PA to a multiple linear regression. RL decreased with increasing frequency and decreased with increasing tidal volume in both isolated and intact lungs. In isolated lungs, Rti decreased with increasing frequency but was independent of tidal volume. Raw was independent of frequency but decreased with tidal volume. The contribution of Rti to RL ranged from 93 +/- 4% (SD) with low frequency and large tidal volume to 41 +/- 24% at high frequency and small tidal volume. We conclude that the RL is highly dependent on breathing frequency and less dependent on tidal volume during conditions similar to quiet breathing and that these findings are explained by changes in the relative contributions of Raw and Rti to RL.


1984 ◽  
Vol 56 (6) ◽  
pp. 1484-1490 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Decramer ◽  
A. De Troyer ◽  
S. Kelly ◽  
P. T. Macklem

To assess the mechanical arrangement of the costal and crural parts of the diaphragm, we studied changes in diaphragmatic length with piezoelectric crystals in 17 supine anesthetized dogs. During control resting inspiration, the crural part usually shortened more and earlier than the costal part. After phrenicotomy, the crural part always lengthened during inspiration, whereas the costal part shortened or lengthened. These interanimal differences disappeared after opening of the abdomen; the costal part then always lengthened during inspiration. During stimulation of one part, the relaxed nonstimulated part always lengthened. However, when compared with the relationship between length and transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdi) obtained during passive deflation, the lengthening of the relaxed part during stimulation of either part was small. This difference between predicted and measured Pdi-length relationship decreased in magnitude as lung volume increased above functional residual capacity (FRC) and increased as residual volume was approached. These results indicate that 1) even during quiet breathing the diaphragm in the dog is not a single functional entity; 2) at FRC the costal and crural portions of the diaphragm behave as if they were mechanically arranged partly in parallel and partly in series; and 3) they gradually move into a pure mechanical series arrangement as lung volume increases.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1962 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 255-260
Author(s):  
Mary Ellen Avery ◽  
Neil O'Doherty

Previous studies of changes in lung volume with position in adults demonstrate the efficacy of gravity methods of artificial respiration. In the present study the ventilation was measured that could be achieved by changes in body position of normal new-born infants. In no instance was the volume of air moved equal to a tidal volume. The failure of this method to achieve ventilation in infants may be due to their shorter abdominal length and more compliant rib cage.


1978 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 581-589 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. P. Vellody ◽  
M. Nassery ◽  
W. S. Druz ◽  
J. T. Sharp

With a linearized respiratory magnetometer, measurements of anteroposterior and lateral diameters of both the rib cage and the abdomen were made at functional residual capacity and continuously during tidal breathing. Twenty-five subjects with normal respiratory systems were studied in the sitting, supine, lateral decubitus, and prone body positions. When subjects changed from sitting to supine position anteroposterior diameters of both rib cage and abdomen decreased while their lateral diameters increased. Both anteroposterior and lateral tidal excursions of the rib cage decreased; those of the abdomen increased. When subjects turned from supine to lateral decubitus position both anteroposterior diameters increased and the lateral diameters decreased. This was associated with an increase in both lateral excursions and a decrease in the abdominal anteroposterior excursions. Diameters and tidal excursions in the prone position resembled those in the supine position. Diameter changes could be explained by gravitational effects. Differences in tidal excursions accompanying body position change were probably related to 1) differences in the distribution of respiratory muscle force, 2) differences in the activity or mechanical advantage of various inspiratory muscles, and 3) local compliance changes in parts of the rib cage and abdomen.


1984 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 899-906 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. De Troyer ◽  
M. Estenne

The pattern of activation of the scalenes and the parasternal intercostal muscles was studied in relation to the pattern of rib cage and abdominal motion during various respiratory maneuvers in the tidal volume range in five normal humans. Electromyograms (EMG) of the scalenes and parasternal intercostals were recorded with bipolar needle electrodes, and changes in abdominal and rib cage displacement were measured using linearized magnetometers. The scalenes and parasternal intercostals were always active during quiet breathing, and their pattern of activation was identical; in both muscles the EMG activity usually started together with the beginning of inspiration, increased in intensity as inspiration proceeded, and persisted into the early part of expiration. In addition, like the parasternal activity the scalene inspiratory activity persisted until the tidal volume was trivial, increased during tidal inspirations performed with the rib cage alone, and was nearly abolished during diaphragmatic isovolume maneuvers. However, attempts to perform tidal inspiration with the diaphragm alone, while causing an increase in parasternal EMG activity, were associated with a marked reduction or a suppression of scalene EMG activity and a reduced substantially distorted rib cage expansion. In particular, the upper rib cage was then moving paradoxically.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


1997 ◽  
Vol 83 (4) ◽  
pp. 1256-1269 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Aliverti ◽  
S. J. Cala ◽  
R. Duranti ◽  
G. Ferrigno ◽  
C. M. Kenyon ◽  
...  

Aliverti, A., S. J. Cala, R. Duranti, G. Ferrigno, C. M. Kenyon, A. Pedotti, G. Scano, P. Sliwinski, Peter T. Macklem, and S. Yan. Human respiratory muscle actions and control during exercise. J. Appl. Physiol. 83(4): 1256–1269, 1997.—We measured pressures and power of diaphragm, rib cage, and abdominal muscles during quiet breathing (QB) and exercise at 0, 30, 50, and 70% maximum workload (W˙max) in five men. By three-dimensional tracking of 86 chest wall markers, we calculated the volumes of lung- and diaphragm-apposed rib cage compartments (Vrc,p and Vrc,a, respectively) and the abdomen (Vab). End-inspiratory lung volume increased with percentage of W˙max as a result of an increase in Vrc,p and Vrc,a. End-expiratory lung volume decreased as a result of a decrease in Vab. ΔVrc,a/ΔVab was constant and independent ofW˙max. Thus we used ΔVab/time as an index of diaphragm velocity of shortening. From QB to 70%W˙max, diaphragmatic pressure (Pdi) increased ∼2-fold, diaphragm velocity of shortening 6.5-fold, and diaphragm workload 13-fold. Abdominal muscle pressure was ∼0 during QB but was equal to and 180° out of phase with rib cage muscle pressure at all percent W˙max. Rib cage muscle pressure and abdominal muscle pressure were greater than Pdi, but the ratios of these pressures were constant. There was a gradual inspiratory relaxation of abdominal muscles, causing abdominal pressure to fall, which minimized Pdi and decreased the expiratory action of the abdominal muscles on Vrc,a gradually, minimizing rib cage distortions. We conclude that from QB to 0% W˙max there is a switch in respiratory muscle control, with immediate recruitment of rib cage and abdominal muscles. Thereafter, a simple mechanism that increases drive equally to all three muscle groups, with drive to abdominal and rib cage muscles 180° out of phase, allows the diaphragm to contract quasi-isotonically and act as a flow generator, while rib cage and abdominal muscles develop the pressures to displace the rib cage and abdomen, respectively. This acts to equalize the pressures acting on both rib cage compartments, minimizing rib cage distortion .


1978 ◽  
Vol 56 (6) ◽  
pp. 1041-1046 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Julien ◽  
Gilles R. Dagenais ◽  
Laimonis Gailis ◽  
Paul-E. Roy

To determine whether cardiac interstitial spaces participate in cardiac fatty acid pool, the relationship between cardiac lymph and arterial plasma free palmitate and triglycerides was studied in anesthetized dogs. [14C]Sucrose, infused at a constant rate in a femoral vein, appeared in the lymph at 90% of its arterial concentration within 60 min. On the other hand, when [1-14C]palmitate was infused at the same rate and at the same site, the ratio of lymph to arterial plasma 14C-labelled free fatty acids (FFA) was only 21% at 60 min and 25% at 120 min, even though the concentrations of endogenous FFA in lymph and arterial plasma were the same. The ratio reached 90% only 24 h after a bolus injection of [3H]palmitate. [1-14C]Palmitate in the lymph triglyceride fraction was only 8% of that in plasma. Although the lymph composition may be influenced by the metabolism of heart muscle, cardiac adipose tissue, and serum lipoproteins, these results indicate the presence of a pool of myocardial fatty acids which may be partly located in the interstitial spaces.


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