Objective: To assess the effect of prone and supine positions on breathing pattern variables, thoracoabdominal motion and peripheral oxygen saturation of hemoglobin of premature newborn infants recovering from respiratory distress syndrome, while breathing spontaneously and in rapid eye movement sleep. Methods:This was a quasi-experimental study. Twelve preterms weighing > 1,000 g at enrollment were studied in both positions, in random order. Respiratory inductive plethysmography was used to analyze breathing pattern (tidal volume, respiratory rate, minute ventilation, mean inspiratory flow) and thoracoabdominal motion (labored breathing index, phase relation in inspiration, phase relation in expiration, phase relation in total breath and phase angle). Pulse oximetry was used to evaluate peripheral oxygen saturation. Student's t test for paired samples or the Wilcoxon test were used for statistical analysis. Significance was set at p < 0.05. Results:A total of 9,167 respiratory cycles were analyzed. The prone position was associated with significant reductions in labored breathing index (-0.84±0.69; p = 0.001; 95%CI -1.29 to -0.40), phase relation in inspiration p = 0.000;, phase relation in expiration p = 0.000;) and phase relation in total breath (-30.20±14.76; p = 0.000; 95%CI -39.59 to -20.82). There were no significant differences between the two positions in any of the other variables analyzed. Conclusion:The prone position resulted in a significant reduction in thoracoabdominal asynchrony, without affecting breathing pattern or peripheral oxygen saturation. J Pediatr (Rio J). 2009;85(5):443-448:Prone position, supine position, premature newborn infants, respiratory distress syndrome. ResumoObjetivo: Avaliar a influência das posições prona e supina em recém-nascidos prematuros pós-síndrome do desconforto respiratório, respirando espontaneamente e em estado de sono ativo, sobre variáveis de padrão respiratório, movimento toracoabdominal e saturação periférica da hemoglobina pelo oxigênio.Métodos: Estudo quase experimental. Doze prematuros com peso > 1.000 g no momento do estudo foram estudados nas duas posições, em ordem randomizada. A pletismografia respiratória por indutância foi utilizada para avaliação do padrão respiratório (volume corrente, frequência respiratória, ventilação minuto, fluxo inspiratório médio) e do movimento toracoabdominal (índice de trabalho respiratório, relação de fase inspiratória, relação de fase expiratória, relação de fase respiratória total e ângulo de fase). A oximetria de pulso registrou a saturação periférica de oxigênio. Para a análise estatística foram realizados os testes t de Student para amostras pareadas ou Wilcoxon. Foi considerado significativo p < 0,05.Resultados: Foram analisados 9.167 ciclos respiratórios. Na posição prona, houve redução significativa do índice de trabalho respiratório (-0,84±0,69; p = 0,001; IC95% -1,29 a -0,40), das relações de fase inspiratória (-27,36±17,55; p = 0,000; IC95% -38,51 a -16,20), expiratória (-32,36±16,20; p = 0,000; IC...

The objective of this paper is to present a methodology for the evaluation of uncertainties in the measurements results obtained during the calibration of a digital manovacuometer prototype (DM) with a load cell sensor pressure device incorporated. Calibration curves were obtained for both pressure sensors of the DM using linear regression by weighted least squares method (WLS). Two models were built to evaluate uncertainty. One takes into account the information listed in the sensor datasheet, resulting in the maximum permissible measurement error of the manovacuometer, and the other on the WLS implemented during calibration. Considering a range of ten calibration points, it was found that calibration procedure designed using WLS modeling indicates that the range of measurement uncertainty extends from 0.2 up to 0.5 kPa. This is inside the manufacter range that extends from 1.5 up 3.5 kPa, showing adequacy for use

IntroductionIn newborn infants, the configuration and complacency of the chest wall puts the respiratory system at a clear mechanical disadvantage with relation to adults. 1 The more horizontal position of the ribs makes the chest wall more rounded, rather than elliptical as is seen in adults, AbstractObjective: To assess the effect of prone and supine positions on breathing pattern variables, thoracoabdominal motion and peripheral oxygen saturation of hemoglobin of premature newborn infants recovering from respiratory distress syndrome, while breathing spontaneously and in rapid eye movement sleep. Methods:This was a quasi-experimental study. Twelve preterms weighing > 1,000 g at enrollment were studied in both positions, in random order. Respiratory inductive plethysmography was used to analyze breathing pattern (tidal volume, respiratory rate, minute ventilation, mean inspiratory flow) and thoracoabdominal motion (labored breathing index, phase relation in inspiration, phase relation in expiration, phase relation in total breath and phase angle). Pulse oximetry was used to evaluate peripheral oxygen saturation. Student's t test for paired samples or the Wilcoxon test were used for statistical analysis. Significance was set at p < 0.05. Results:

Introduction and objective: The exercise test with ramp protocol is described as the one which best adapts to physical condition of subjects with heart failure (HF). However, velocity and inclination standard increments have not been described yet. This study aimed to describe the results found after application of an exercise test with ramp protocol adjusted for subjects with HF, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II and III. Methods: 41 subjects with mean age 46.37 ± 8.98 years and ejection fraction of 31.51 ± 9.45% performed the exercise test with expired gas analysis on treadmill with ramp protocol developed from criteria defined in a study by Barbosa and Silva et al. Statistical Analysis: descriptive analysis was performed with frequency distribution and the test time was presented as mean ± standard deviation. Linear regression model was used and NYHA class, age and ejection fraction were included as explanation variables for the test time. A p value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Mean test time was 8.89 ± 3.57 minutes and the R was 1.12 ± 0.11. Sixty-one percent of the sample presented test duration between 6 and 12 minutes -mean ± 1 standard deviation interval -and 73.2% presented duration between 6 and 15 minutes. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the majority of the subjects with HF concluded the test with ramp protocol adjusted in time considered adequate in the literature.

This article presents the results associated to calibration and evaluation of the measurement uncertainty of a digital respiratory pressures measuring system developed at the Biomedical Engineering Research & Development Laboratory (NEPEB) of the Department of Electrical Engineering-UFMG. The proposed method uses the least squares weighted regression to establish the measurement model and to evaluate the uncertainty. The standard expanded uncertainty estimated by the model was 1.4 kPa.