Reserva de fuerza del diafragma en pacientes obesos. / [Diaphragmatic reserve strength in obese patients]

ABSTRACT

Nine obese patients (OB) and seven normal subjects (N) were studied in order to determine diaphragmatic strength reserve, measured in terms of diaphragm Tension/Time Index (TTdi). This index was measured with the patients awake and during the obstructive apnea (OA) episodes. TTdi was 2.7 times superior in the OB (p < 0.0005) and was related with a lower Pdi Max (102 vs 202 cm H2O; p < 0.005) and with a higher Pdi (9 vs 6 cm H2O; p < 0.05). During OA the TTdi was higher than the threshold value to develop diaphragmatic fatigue (0.15-0.20) in three patients. This value was not exceeded in one patient because of striking paradoxical diaphragmatic movements. As for anthropometric data, DPI