How to get the most out of the ERS International Congress 2021 and an overview of the Early Career Member session

Sociedad Respiratoria Europea (ERS); Ayudar a los asistentesSocietat Respiratòria Europea (ERS); Ajudar els assistentsEuropean Respiratory Society (ERS); Help attendeesThis article provides a brief description of the Early Career Member session and guidance on how to get the most out of the European Respiratory Society (ERS) International Congress 2021, to help attendees plan their Congress in advance

The degree of arm elevation impacts the endurance and cardiopulmonary adaptations of COPDpatients performing upper-limb exercise: A cross-over study

In Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), upper limb exercise is widely recommended. However, how the degree of shoulder flexion may influence the exercise response is unknown

Physiological Validation of an Airborne Ultrasound Based Surface Motion Camera for a Contactless Characterization of Breathing Pattern in Humans

Characterizing the breathing pattern in naturally breathing humans brings important information on respiratory mechanics, respiratory muscle, and breathing control. However, measuring breathing modifies breathing (observer effect) through the effects of instrumentation and awareness: measuring human breathing under true ecological conditions is currently impossible. This study tested the hypothesis that non-contact vibrometry using airborne ultrasound (SONAR) could measure breathing movements in a contactless and invisible manner. Thus, first, we evaluated the validity of SONAR measurements by testing their interchangeability with pneumotachograph (PNT) measurements obtained at the same time. We also aimed at evaluating the observer effect by comparing breathing variability obtained by SONAR versus SONAR-PNT measurements. Twenty-three healthy subjects (12 men and 11 women; mean age 33 years – range: 20–54) were studied during resting breathing while sitting on a chair. Breathing activity was described in terms of ventilatory flow measured using a PNT and, either simultaneously or sequentially, with a SONAR device measuring the velocity of the surface motion of the chest wall. SONAR was focused either anteriorly on the xiphoid process or posteriorly on the lower part of the costal margin. Discrete ventilatory temporal and volume variables and their coefficients of variability were calculated from the flow signal (PNT) and the velocity signal (SONAR) and tested for interchangeability (Passing-Bablok regression). Tidal volume (VT) and displacement were linearly related. Breathing frequency (BF), total cycle time (TT), inspiratory time (TI), and expiratory time (TE) met interchangeability criteria. Their coefficients of variation were not statistically significantly different with PNT and SONAR-only. This was true for both the anterior and the posterior SONAR measurements. Non-contact vibrometry using airborne ultrasound is a valid tool for measuring resting breathing pattern

A case of unexplained dyspnoea: When lung function testing matters!

Diverse methods are available for assessment of the respiratory muscles; the technique used should be tailored to the question posed. http://ow.ly/ChbX30m91bt

How to get the most out of the ERS International Congress 2021 and an overview of the Early Career Member session

The annual European Respiratory Society (ERS) International Congress will take place in a virtual format, from 5 to 8 September 2021. As in previous years, the programme will be full of outstanding scientific sessions in the field of respiratory medicine and enriching opportunities for Early Career Members (ECMs). In this article, we provide an overview of the structure and content of the Congress, as well as tips on how to navigate the programme and get the most out of it. We also provide a brief description of the ECM session which will focus on the keys to success in science.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Decreased respiratory-related postural perturbations at the cervical level under cognitive load

PURPOSE: In healthy humans, postural and respiratory dynamics are intimately linked and a breathing-related postural perturbation is evident in joint kinematics. A cognitive dual-task paradigm that is known to induce both postural and ventilatory disturbances can be used to modulate this multijoint posturo-ventilatory (PV) interaction, particularly in the cervical spine, which supports the head. The objective of this study was to assess this modulation. METHODS: With the use of optoelectronic sensors, the breathing profile, articular joint motions of the cervical spine, hip, knees and ankles, and centre of pressure (CoP) displacement were measured in 20 healthy subjects (37 years old [29; 49], 10 females) during natural breathing (NB), a cognitive dual task (COG), and eyes-closed and increased-tidal-volume conditions. The PV interaction in the CoP and joint motions were evaluated by calculating the respiratory emergence (REm). RESULTS: Only the COG condition induced a decrease in the cervical REm (NB: 17.2% [7.8; 37.2]; COG: 4.2% [1.8; 10.0] p = 0.0020) concurrent with no changes in the cervical motion. The CoP REm (NB: 6.2% [3.8; 10.3]; COG: 12.9% [5.8; 20.7] p = 0.0696) and breathing frequency (NB: 16.6 min-1 [13.3; 18.7]; COG: 18.6 min-1 [16.3; 19.4] p = 0.0731) tended to increase, while the CoP (p = 0.0072) and lower joint motion displacements (p < 0.05) increased. CONCLUSION: This study shows stable cervical spine motion during a cognitive dual task, as well as increased postural perturbations globally and in other joints. The concurrent reduction in the PV interaction at the cervical spine suggests that this "stabilization strategy" is centrally controlled and is achieved by a reduction in the breathing-related postural perturbations at this level. Whether this strategy is a goal for maintaining balance remains to be studied.This work was funded by the Chancellerie des Universités de Paris (Grant number: Legs Poix (LEG 1604)); ENS Cachan (Grant number: Ph.D. fellowship); Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (Grant number: Grant “poste d’accueil APHP/Arts et Métiers” délé- gation à la Recherche Clinique et à l’Innovation (DRCI)); Paristech (Grant number: BiomeCAM chair)

International consensus on lung function testing during COVID-19 pandemic and beyond

COVID-19 has negatively affected the delivery of respiratory diagnostic services across the world due to the potential risk of disease transmission during lung function testing. Community prevalence, reoccurrence of COVID-19 surges, and the emergence of different variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus have impeded attempts to restore services. Finding consensus on how to deliver safe lung function services for both patients attending and for staff performing the tests are of paramount importance. This international statement presents the consensus opinion of 23 experts in the field of lung function and respiratory physiology balanced with evidence from the reviewed literature. It describes a robust roadmap for restoration and continuity of lung function testing services during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Important strategies presented in this consensus statement relate to the patient journey when attending for lung function tests. We discuss appointment preparation, operational and environmental issues, testing room requirements including mitigation strategies for transmission risk, requirement for improved ventilation, maintaining physical distance, and use of personal protection equipment. We also provide consensus opinion on precautions relating to specific tests, filters, management of special patient groups, and alternative options to testing in hospitals. The pandemic has highlighted how vulnerable lung function services are and forces us to re-think how long term mitigation strategies can protect our services during this and any possible future pandemic. This statement aspires to address the safety concerns that exist and provide strategies to make lung function tests and the testing environment safer when tests are required

What to expect from the ERS International Congress 2023

For the second consecutive year, the European Respiratory Society (ERS) International Congress will be held in a hybrid format, in Milan, Italy and online, from 9 September to 13 September 2023. This year, the Congress will return to a 5-day programme covering the latest advances in science and clinical practice across the full range of respiratory topics. Thousands of researchers and health professionals will have the opportunity to share their knowledge and work at the world's largest respiratory meeting. In this article, we provide a glimpse of the ERS Congress 2023 including a summary of the Early Career Member (ECM) session, an overview of the Networking EXcellence Training (NEXT) programme, and the “top picks” from the programme selected by the members of the International Congress Programme Committee (ICPC). The full programme is available at: https://www.ersnet.org/congress-and-events/congress/programme/