Abstract

DE VITO, Eduardo L; ARCE, Santiago C  and  MONTEIRO, Sergio G. Series on dyspnea. Part 2. Analysis of its mechanisms as the years go by. Rev. am. med. respir. [online]. 2023, vol.23, n.3, pp.187-194. ISSN 1852-236X.  http://dx.doi.org/10.56538/ramr.onmr2066.

This article is devoted to a detailed analysis of the mechanisms of dyspnea. Chemical control of respiration, neural reflexes, respiratory mechanics, the cost of oxygen to breathe, and the mismatch between tension and muscle fiber length will be discussed. In general, the different explanations were associated with the development of apparatus and study methodologies in pulmonary laboratories. All the theories had defenders and detractors and, interestingly, with the development of sophisticated neurophysiological techniques and functional imaging it has been possible to prioritize each of the mecha nisms. All have survived the passage of time and none can explain dyspnea in all clinical situations, which speaks of the complex and multifactorial nature of the phenomenon.

Keywords : Dyspnea; Breathlessness; Physiology; Physiopathology; Respiratory mechanic.

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