Effects of controlled mechanical ventilation on respiratory muscle contractile properties in rabbits.

Objective: We examined in rabbits the effects of more than 48 h of mechanical ventilation on the contractile properties and fiber type adaptations of the respiratory muscles.

Design And Setting: Experimental prospective study in a university laboratory.

Animals And Interventions: Nineteen rabbits were randomly allocated to two groups: control (n=10) or mechanically ventilated (MV; n=9) for 51+/-3 h.