Is Diaphragmatic Contractility Important?

Abstract

IN this issue of the Journal, Aubier and his colleagues¹ report that aminophylline in the usual therapeutic dose enhances the contractile force of the normal human diaphragm by 15 per cent and promptly reverses fatigue induced by inspiratory resistive loading. For an appreciation of the importance of their results, it is helpful to review some physiologic and clinical aspects of respiratory endurance and fatigue.The respiratory muscles constitute the "air pump" and are vital to life. The mechanical properties of the lungs and chest wall are such that the work of breathing is borne solely or primarily by the . . .