Influence of positive end expiratory pressure on respiratory biomechanics in chronic bronchitis

Abstract

21 patients with chronic obstructive bronchitis (COB) and 4 patients with chronic non-obstructive bronchitis (C N B) were studied by bodyplethysmography. It was demonstrated that lung hyperinflation decreased in the most of patients after breathing with P EE P 5 or 7 sm H₂O for 20 minutes. Different bronchial reactions to PEEP were revealed. The improvement of bronchial passability was obtained in 9 patients, neutral reaction (no changes) — in 18 and changes for the worse — in 4 COB patients. Pulmonary function did not change in CN B patients. Thus, the breathing with PEEP could be used in treatment of patients with COB exacerbation.