Functional condition of the diaphragm in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

We are found that in patients with early stage of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have a hyperfunction of diaphragm muscle, accompanied by a decrease in the diaphragm excursion in forced breathing, increased thickness and the change of velocity of relaxation of the diaphragm muscle. The correlations of the diaphragm dysfunction with data of pulmonary functional tests and cardiopulmonary hemodynamic parameters was found. Fatigue and weakness of the diaphragm muscle develops due to decompensate of this muscle. It may cause progression of pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale formation.