Assessment of the effects of the Flutter®VRP1 on the inflammatory status and rates of transport of respiratory secretions of patients with bronchiectasis

• Grant number: 11/06674-8
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: October 01, 2011
• End date: September 30, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Ada Clarice Gastaldi
• Grantee: Ada Clarice Gastaldi
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Joana Tambascio ; José Antônio Baddini Martinez

Abstract

The perpetuation of the inflammatory process in bronchiectasis, is in part mediated by cytokines, with the release of neutrophils, in addition to repair and fibrosis, directly related with its pathophysiology, as these are the factors that end up making irreversible dilatation of bronchi. Moreover, the recurrent and chronic damage in airways leads to the installation of a vicious circle of destruction, beginning with a reduction in mucociliary transport in the wall destroyed, the facilitation of bacterial colonization, increased inflammation and greater bronchial tissue destruction contributing in this way for the hypersecretive state in these individuals. The Flutter ® VRP1 is an alternative of physical therapy for those individuals that combines two techniques: positive expiratory pressure (PEP) and high-frequency oscillations, supporting the treatment and prevention of alveolar collapse and removal of pulmonary secretions. Although some studies have demonstrated beneficial effects for removal of secretion of this device in bronchiectasis is necessary to answer whether the use of the Flutter ® VRP1 also be able to change or improve the profile of inflammatory respiratory secretions thus reducing the damage to the epithelium and even if this change would correlate with changes in rates of transport of the secretion caused by the device. Thus, the main goal is to evaluate the benefits of Flutter ® VRP1 on the inflammatory status and rates of transport of respiratory secretions of patients with bronchiectasis. For this, 30 patients with bronchiectasis not secondary to cystic fibrosis will perform sessions with the Flutter ® VRP1 or "sham" and the respiratory secretion will be evaluated as the amount of inflammatory cells, number of colonies, mucociliary transport, transport by cough , contact angle and water percentage. (AU)