Breathing Pattern of Patients with COPD

Abstract

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in acute respiratory failure demonstrate a rapid and shallow breathing pattern [1, 2]. A similar breathing pattern is observed in patients who fail weaning [2, 3] and in stable patients with hypercapnia or chronic respiratory failure when compared to healthy subjects [4]. The rapid shallow breathing pattern inevitably results in hypercapnia. Hence, the ventilatory pump fails to maintain adequate alveolar ventilation. The failure of the ventilatory pump may be the result of decreased respiratory muscle capability and/or increased mechanical load. This chapter focuses on the determinants of the rapid shallow breathing pattern and the consequent hypercapnia during acute respiratory failure, weaning failure, and chronic respiratory failure.