Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

PaO2 increases with coughing in patients with chronic lung disease

  • Published:
Lung Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We considered if the cyanosis frequently observed during a cough attack in patients with chronic lung disease was due to worsening hypoxemia. To investigate the effects of cough on PaO2, we measured arterial blood gases before and after a voluntary coughing period of 45 sec, in 11 patients with Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) and 14 patients with Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COPD). All patients significantly increased (p < 0.05) their PaO2 (COPD: from 49 ± 2 to 60 ± 2 mmHg; ILD from 44 ± 2 to 51 ± 3 mmHg, mean ± SD) and decreased their PaCO2. We conclude that stable patients with COPD and ILD increase their PaO2 with coughing most likely due to hyperventilation. The cyanosis observed could be due to peripheral circulatory effects of coughing.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Farhi LE (1964) Gas stores of the Body. In: Handbook of physiology, respiration, vol 1. Washington, D.C.: American Physiological Society

    Google Scholar 

  2. Fishman AP (1980) Manifestations of respiratory disorders. In: Fishman AP (ed) Pulmonary diseases and disorders. McGraw Hill Book Co., pp 78–79

  3. Irwin R, Rosen M, Braman S (1977) Cough: a comprehensive review. Arch Intern Med 137:1186–1191

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Leith DF (1977) Cough. In: Brain JD, Proctor DF, Reid LM (eds) Respiratory defense mechanisms. Lung biology in health and disease, vol 5. Marcel Dekker, New York, pp. 545–592

    Google Scholar 

  5. Langlands J (1967) The dynamics of cough in health and in Chronic Bronchitis. Thorax 22:88–96

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Macklem PT (1974) Physiology of cough. Ann Otol 83:761–768

    Google Scholar 

  7. Martinez Guerra ML, Fernandez-Bonetti P, Balvanera A (1973) Valores normales de algunas medidas de la function respiratoria en la ciudad de Mexico. Prensa Medica Mexicana 38:1–5

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. McCool FD, Leith DE (1987) Pathophysiology of cough. Clin Chest Med 8:189–195

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Rahn H, Fenn W (1955) A graphical analysis of the respiratory gas exchange. The American Physiological Society, pp. 19–21

  10. Richardson PS, Peatfield AC (1981) Reflexes concerned in the defense of the lungs. Bull Europ Physiopath Resp 17:979–1012

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cardiopulmonary Service, Instituto Nacional de Cardiologia “Ignacio Chavez”, Juan Badiano 1, Tlalpan, 14080, Mexico D.F., Mexico

    Wilfredo Martinez, Julio Sandoval, Rogelio Perez-Padilla, Roberto Maxwell, Mario Seoane & Eulo Lupi-Herrera

Authors
  1. Wilfredo Martinez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Julio Sandoval
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Rogelio Perez-Padilla
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Roberto Maxwell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Mario Seoane
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Eulo Lupi-Herrera
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Martinez, W., Sandoval, J., Perez-Padilla, R. et al. PaO2 increases with coughing in patients with chronic lung disease. Lung 166, 287–291 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02714059

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02714059

Key words

Search

Navigation