Evaluation of the respiratory muscular function by means of diaphragmatic mechanomyographic signals in copd patients

摘要

The study of mechanomyographic (MMG) signals\udof respiratory muscles is a promising technique in order to evaluate the respiratory muscular effort. In this work MMG\udsignals from left and right hemidiaphragm (MMGl and MMGr, respectively) acquired during a respiratory protocol have been analyzed. The acquisition of both MMG signals was carried out by means of two capacitive accelerometers placed on both left and right sides of the costal wall. The signals were recorded in a group of six patients with Chronic Obstructive\udPulmonary Disease (COPD). It has been observed that with the increase of inspiratory pressure it takes place an increase of the amplitude and a displacement toward low frequencies in both left and right MMG signals. Furthermore, it has been seen that the increase of amplitude and the decrease of frequency in MMG signals are more pronounced in severe COPD patients.\udThis behaviour is similar for both MMGl and MMGr signals.\udResults suggest that the use of MMG signals could be potentially useful for the evaluation of the respiratory muscular function in COPD patients.