Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.,
Volume 160, Number 5, November 1999, 1623-1628
Alteration in Diaphragmatic Function Induced by
Acute Necrotizing Pancreatitis in a Rodent Model
YVES
MATUSZCZAK,
NAIMA
VIIRES,
HALA
ALLAMEDIN,
MICHEL
AUBIER,
JEAN-MARIE
DESMONTS,
and
BERTRAND
DUREUIL
Department of Surgical Intensive Care, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen; Unité INSERM 408 and Unité INSERM 153, University of Paris, Paris, France
Some of the common complications of acute necrotizing pancreatitis also involve pulmonary complications. These manifestations are often associated with a cephalad diaphragmatic shift. We hypothized that diaphragmatic function might be directly compromised by the acute abdominal process.
This hypothesis was tested on an acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP) rat model. We assessed the diaphragm and peripheral (Extensor Digitorum Longus and Soleus) muscle properties in vitro using
strips in control (C) and ANP animals. Contractile parameters included single twitch and a force-frequency curve (10 to 100 Hz), and an endurance capacity index (T50%) was calculated after a repetitive stimulation (30 Hz). Breathing pattern was not different between control and ANP animals, and
muscular histologic examination was normal. However, ANP was associated with a marked decrease
in diaphragmatic strength for all frequencies of stimulation when compared with C. Endurance capacity was also reduced in ANP animals as assessed by a lower T50% (ANP: 31 ± 10.5 s; C: 49 ± 10.3 s;
p < 0.05). By contrast, no significant change in peripheral muscle function was observed in both
groups. We conclude that ANP causes impairment in diaphragmatic strength and endurance capacity, whereas peripheral muscles are spared. These findings suggest that alterations in the respiratory
pump may be involved in the genesis of acute respiratory failure in ANP. Matuszczak Y, Viires N, Allamedin H, Aubier M, Desmonts J-M, Dureuil B. Alteration in diaphragmatic function induced
by acute necrotizing pancreatitis in a rodent model.
