ASSESSMENT OF DIAPHRAGMATIC MOBILITY BY CHEST ULTRASOUND IN COPD PATIENTS ON DIFFERENT MODES OF MECHANICAL VENTILATION

Abstract

COPD is one of the classical causes of the imbalance between the ventilatory demands and the cardioneurorespiratroy capacity that eventually leads to muscle fatigue, hypercapnia and finally weaning failure; this imbalance is in part related to respiratory muscle weakness which is due to acidosis, hypercapnia, malnutrition and steroid therapy (if present), and more importantly the mechanical disadvantage that is created due to hyperinflation of the lungs; making the fibers of the inspiratory muscles act at unfavorable fiber length (shorter than the optimal length) and thus decreasing the tension generated.