Effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in severe acute pancreatitis complicated patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Severe acute pancreatitis complicated by acute respiratory distress is a common cause of intensive care unit (ICU) admission. These patients are at risk of a decline in physical activity due to bed rest. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has been recommended for ICU patients to strengthen muscles, but its effects on muscle atrophy, respiratory function, multiple organ dysfunction, and functional status of these patients remain to be proven. METHODS: Patients (n = 80) will be prospectively randomized into an NMES group and a control group. The NMES group will receive NMES for 1 h per day for 7 days, and both the control and NMES groups will receive usual care. The efficacy will be assessed by an experienced physiotherapist and sonographer who will be blinded to the patient's group assignment. Muscle power assessment (MRC scale), lower extremity circumference, grip strength, activities of daily living (Barthel index), and Marshall scores will be measured at baseline and posttreatment. The functions of the diaphragm assessments will be measured daily. Barthel index measurements will be followed up in the 1st month, 3rd month, and 6th month after discharge. DISCUSSION: The trial will explore the effectiveness of NMES in functional status and diaphragm function in patients with SAP complicated with ARDS. The results of this trial will provide strong evidence of the efficacy of NMES in treating SAP patients with ARDS. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial has been registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, and the registry name is "Effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in severe acute pancreatitis complicated patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial," URL: https://www.chictr.org.cn , numbered ChiCTR2300068995. Date of Registration: 2023-03-03.

Effect of manual hyperinflation on recurrent atelectasis in a ventilator-dependent C3 complete spinal cord injury patient: A case report.

CLINICAL CASE: We present here the case of a ventilator-dependent 76-year-old man with C3 complete spinal cord injury (SCI) who presented with recurrent left lung atelectasis managed with manual hyperinflation (MH). Atelectasis was primarily assessed with chest X-ray (CXR). Additional monitoring included blood gas analysis, serum procalcitonin, and the Modified Borg Dyspnea Scale (MBS), as an objective measure of reported dyspnea. We found that MH successfully reversed the radiographic appearance of atelectasis after the first treatment and maintained this effect for the duration of the 2-week intervention period as well as at 2 weeks of follow-up post-intervention. Furthermore, MH decreased the patient's oxygen requirements and was associated with a decrease in serum procalcitonin. Clinically, the patient reported reduced subjective dyspnea post-MH, which was reflected as an improvement on the MBS. We conclude that MH may represent a therapeutic modality for consideration in the routine management of recurrent atelectasis in mechanically ventilated patients.