Limits of effective cough-augmentation techniques in patients with neuromuscular disease.

Abstract

In clinically stable patients with neuromuscular diseases, the effectiveness of cough-augmentation techniques can be predicted with measurements of maximum respiratory capacity. Patients with VC > 340 mL and MEP < 34 cm H(2)O would optimally benefit from the combination of breath-stacking plus manually assisted cough to improve PCF to > 180 L/min.