RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Assessment of respiratory muscle strength in the intensive care unit
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP 2057
OP 2061
DO 10.1183/09031936.94.07112057
VO 7
IS 11
A1 Moxham, J
A1 Goldstone, J
YR 1994
UL https://publications.ersnet.org//content/7/11/2057.abstract
AB The measurement of respiratory muscle strength in the intensive care unit (ICU) is potentially useful for the prediction of weaning outcome. An easy and accurate measure would also allow investigation of respiratory muscle weakness in critically ill patients. At present, there is no satisfactory method of strength measurement in the intensive care unit. Vital capacity is a nonspecific, volitional and relatively insensitive measure of strength. True maximum respiratory pressures are difficult to achieve and, in stable patients, results vary greatly both over time and between observers. For these reasons, there are few good data of respiratory muscle strength in the intensive care unit. Of the new techniques being developed, magnetic stimulation of the phrenic nerves, combined with the measurement of transdiaphragmatic, oesophageal, or endotracheal tube pressure, offers the greatest promise.