PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Tiina M Andersen AU - Brit Hov AU - Thomas Halvorsen AU - Ola Drange Røksund AU - Maria Vollsæter TI - Upper Airway Assessment and Responses During Mechanically Assisted Cough AID - 10.4187/respcare.08960 DP - 2021 Jul 01 TA - Respiratory Care PG - 1196--1213 VI - 66 IP - 7 4099 - http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/66/7/1196.short 4100 - http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/66/7/1196.full AB - When the ability to cough is impaired, secretion clearance may be assisted and augmented with mechanical insufflation-exsufflation (MI-E). In some individuals, the efficacy of MI-E may be hampered by counterproductive upper airway reactions, where the airways close in response to positive pressures. To fully utilize the therapeutic potential inherent in the MI-E technology, we need a better understanding of the pathophysiology behind these untoward reactions. There is increasing interest in monitoring and measuring upper airway responses to MI-E and how such information can be used to optimize MI-E settings. The purpose of this narrative review is to increase the theoretical understanding of the larynx as a respiratory organ, summarize the current literature in the area, and provide insight into how this knowledge can affect current clinical practice.