Breath-holding test in evaluation of peripheral chemoreflex sensitivity in healthy subjects

• Published in: Respiratory physiology & neurobiology Vol. 235; pp. 79 - 82
• Main Authors: Trembach, Nikita, Zabolotskikh, Igor
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.01.2017
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Breath Holding; Breath-holding test; Carbon Dioxide; Chemoreceptor Cells - physiology; Feasibility Studies; Humans; Medical Education; Peripheral chemoreflex sensitivity; Pulmonary/Respiratory; Reflex; Reproducibility of Results; Single-breath carbon dioxide test; Young Adult; Breath-holding test; Peripheral chemoreflex sensitivity; Single-breath carbon dioxide test
• ISSN: 1569-9048; 1878-1519
• DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2016.10.005

•A breath-holding test and a SB-CO2 test are comparable and reproducible.•Breath-holding duration inversely correlates with the results of SB-CO2 test.•Breath-holding test may be useful in routine assessment of peripheral chemoreflex. The aim of the study was to determine the feasibility of using a breath-holding test in assessing the sensitivity of the peripheral chemoreflex compared with the single-breath carbon dioxide test. The study involved 48 healthy volunteers between the ages of 18–29 years. The breath-holding test was performed followed by the single-breath carbon dioxide test on the next day. A month after the first tests, these tests were repeated to evaluate their reproducibility The coefficient of variability in the single-breath carbon dioxide test ranged from 0 to 32% with a mean of 10±7%. The mean coefficient of variability of the breath-holding test was 6±4% (0–19%). A significant inverse correlation between the results of the two tests was noted following analysis (r=−0.82, p<0.05). A breath-holding test after deep inspiration reflects the sensitivity of the peripheral chemoreflex as defined by the single-breath carbon dioxide test in healthy subjects.