Stable tetraplegia was associated with a one-third reduction in the compliance of the whole respiratory system compared with normal subjects, possibly due to abnormal stiffening of the rib cage.
Observational (n=8)
Is respiratory system compliance altered in patients with stable tetraplegia compared to normal subjects?
Patients with stable tetraplegia have significantly reduced respiratory system compliance, likely due to abnormal stiffening of the rib cage.
Effect estimate: Reduced by one third
The specific compliance of the chest wall and lungs combined was measured in eight patients with stable tetraplegia. Expiration was impeded with a series of spring-loaded resistances, and end-expiratory pressures plotted against changes in chest wall volume at end-expiration. An optical contour mapping system was used to partition changes in chest wall volume into rib cage and abdominal components. These measurements suggest that the compliance of the whole system is reduced by one third in patients with stable tetraplegia, compared with normal subjects. This may be because of abnormal stiffening of the rib cage.
Goldman et al. (Tue,) conducted a observational in Stable tetraplegia (n=8). Stable tetraplegia vs. Normal subjects was evaluated on Specific compliance of the chest wall and lungs combined (Reduced by one third). Stable tetraplegia was associated with a one-third reduction in the compliance of the whole respiratory system compared with normal subjects, possibly due to abnormal stiffening of the rib cage.