Effect of lung transplantation on diaphragmatic function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Abstract

In patients with COPD lung transplantation leads to an increase the maximal sniff induced PDI values by placing the diaphragm in a more favourable position for pressure generation. Since patients with COPD and postoperative lung transplant recipients showed similar PDI/lung volume relations, this suggests that chronic pulmonary hyperinflation does not cause major functional alterations of the diaphragm.