Journal of Applied Physiology Fuel your research with LabChart
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

J Appl Physiol 71: 1897-1902, 1991;
8750-7587/91 $5.00
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Field, S. K.
Right arrow Articles by Whitelaw, W. A.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Field, S. K.
Right arrow Articles by Whitelaw, W. A.

Journal of Applied Physiology, Vol 71, Issue 5 1897-1902, Copyright © 1991 by American Physiological Society

ARTICLES

Relationship between inspiratory effort and breathlessness in pregnancy

S. K. Field, S. G. Bell, D. F. Cenaiko and W. A. Whitelaw
Department of Medicine, Foothills Hospital, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Using open-magnitude scaling, we compared the relationships between breathlessness, inspiratory esophageal pressure swing (delta Pes), and ventilation in pregnancy and postpartum. Thirteen healthy women performed progressive cycle exercise tests at 33 +/- 2 wk gestation and 12 +/- 3 wk postpartum. Pulmonary function and maximal transdiaphragmatic pressure did not change. Minute ventilation (VE) was greater in the third trimester. This increase was entirely due to the increase in tidal volume (VT; 0.74 +/- 0.18 vs. 0.54 +/- 0.18 liters at rest, P less than 0.01; 1.56 +/- 0.3 vs. 1.24 +/- 0.24 liters at 48 W, P less than 0.001). delta Pes (15.3 +/- 3.0 vs. 11.9 +/- 3.5 cmH2O at 48 W, P less than 0.01) and breathlessness (1.8 +/- 1.4 vs. 1.0 +/- 0.9 at 48 W, P less than 0.05) were greater in the third trimester. However, the relationships between VT and delta Pes and between delta Pes and breathlessness were identical in the two conditions. The VT-tidal abdominal volume (Vab) and Vab-tidal gastric pressure swing (delta Pga) relationships were similar in the two conditions. In conclusion, the relationship between delta Pes and breathlessness is the same in the third trimester and postpartum. The increased VE is responsible for the breathlessness in the third trimester. Despite progressive abdominal distension by the gravid uterus, the VT-Vab and Vab-delta Pga relationships were the same in the two conditions.


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 ChestHome page
S. K. Field, G. A. J. Gelfand, and S. D. McFadden
The Effects of Antireflux Surgery on Asthmatics With Gastroesophageal Reflux
Chest, September 1, 1999; 116(3): 766 - 774.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.Home page
S. K. FIELD, J. A. EVANS, and L. M. PRICE
The Effects of Acid Perfusion of the Esophagus on Ventilation and Respiratory Sensation
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., April 1, 1998; 157(4): 1058 - 1062.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Visit Other APS Journals Online