الفهرس 
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Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the fourth leading cause of death in the world, represents an important public health challenge that is both preventable and treatable (Lopez et al., 2006)
Inspiratory muscle weakness in patients with COPD is of major clinical relevance (Uriona et al., 2005).
The diaphragm is a fundamental respiratory muscle whose dysfunction may be very common in patients undergoing mechanical ventilation. Diaphragm dysfunction is associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation and weaning failure (Petrof et al., 2010).