Minute ventilation/carbon dioxide production in patients with dysfunctional breathing

Abstract

Dysfunctional breathing refers to a multi-dimensional condition that is characterised by pathological changes in an individual's breathing. These changes lead to a feeling of breathlessness and include alterations in the biomechanical, psychological and physiological aspects of breathing. This makes dysfunctional breathing a hard condition to diagnose, given the diversity of aspects that contribute to the feeling of breathlessness. The disorder can debilitate individuals without any health problems, but may also be present in those with underlying cardiopulmonary co-morbidities. The ventilatory equivalent for CO2 (VeqCO2) is a physiological parameter that can be measured using cardiopulmonary exercise testing. This review will explore how this single measurement can be used to aid the diagnosis of dysfunctional breathing. A background discussion about dysfunctional breathing will allow readers to comprehend its multidimensional aspects. This will then allow readers to understand how VeqCO2 can be used in the wider diagnosis of dysfunctional breathing. Whilst VeqCO2 cannot be used as a singular parameter in the diagnosis of dysfunctional breathing, this review supports its use within a broader algorithm to detect physiological abnormalities in patients with dysfunctional breathing. This will allow for more individuals to be accurately diagnosed and appropriately managed.

Analysis of Influencing Factors for Exercise Ventilation Efficiency of COPD Patients

“…This increase is accomplished by increases in both the tidal volume and breathing frequency. During low-to-moderate intensity exercise, both tidal volume and breathing frequency increase roughly in proportion to exercise intensity [ 8 ], whereas at higher intensities, as our results showed that for COPD patients with a heavier GOLD grade, the expected ventilate ratio of maximum intensity exercise was lower. Therefore, due to the limitation of ventilatory function, it is necessary to rely more on the increased respiratory rate to meet metabolic requirements during certain intensity exercises.…”

“…EqCO 2 (ventilatory equivalent for carbon dioxide) is a critical parameter in the CPET, which is calculated using the equation: VeqCO 2 = [V' E − ( d syst × RR)]/V' CO2 . EqCO 2 was the focus of this study because previous research demonstrated that this parameter is most useful in the diagnosis of dysfunctional breathing [ 8 ]. The increase in EqCO 2 indicates a decrease in ventilation efficiency [ 9 , 10 ].…”

“…EqCO 2 was the focus of this study because previous research demonstrated that this parameter is most useful in the diagnosis of dysfunctional breathing [8].…”

Diagnostic tests and subtypes of dysfunctional breathing in children with unexplained exertional dyspnea

“…18 Exercise-induced inappropriate hyperventilation is often diagnosed by an increased VE'/V'CO 2 slope on exercise or an increased ventilatory equivalent for CO 2 at different time points of exercise. 13,29 The increase in V'E/V'CO 2 slope (=863/(PaCO 2…”

BTS clinical statement for the assessment and management of respiratory problems in athletic individuals

“…Assessment at rest and during a provoked attack can help to identify the key indicators of BPD compared with normal breathing patterns (online supplemental table S2). 54 55 Typical features include a raised breathing frequency, predominantly apical/upper chest movement during respiration, asynchrony between upper and lower chest and excessive mouth breathing. There may also be frequent sighing, yawning or excessive accessory muscle use 49 53…”