Inspiratory Muscle Rehabilitation in Critically Ill Adults. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

RATIONALE: Respiratory muscle weakness is common in critically ill patients; the role of targeted inspiratory muscle training (IMT) in intensive care unit rehabilitation strategies remains poorly defined. OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of the present study was to describe the range and tolerability of published methods for IMT. The secondary objectives were to determine whether IMT improves respiratory muscle strength and clinical outcomes in critically ill patients. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review to identify randomized and nonrandomized studies of physical rehabilitation interventions intended to strengthen the respiratory muscles in critically ill adults. We searched the MEDLINE, Embase, HealthSTAR, CINAHL, and CENTRAL databases (inception to September Week 3, 2017) and conference proceedings (2012 to 2017). Data were independently extracted by two authors and collected on a standardized report form. RESULTS: A total of 28 studies (N = 1,185 patients) were included. IMT was initiated during early mechanical ventilation (8 studies), after patients proved difficult to wean (14 studies), or after extubation (3 studies), and 3 other studies did not report exact timing. Threshold loading was the most common technique; 13 studies employed strength training regimens, 11 studies employed endurance training regimens, and 4 could not be classified. IMT was feasible, and there were few adverse events during IMT sessions (nine studies; median, 0%; interquartile range, 0-0%). In randomized trials (n = 20), IMT improved maximal inspiratory pressure compared with control (15 trials; mean increase, 6 cm H2O; 95% confidence interval [CI], 5-8 cm H2O; pooled relative ratio of means, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.14-1.25) and maximal expiratory pressure (4 trials; mean increase, 9 cm H2O; 95% CI, 5-14 cm H2O). IMT was associated with a shorter duration of ventilation (nine trials; mean difference, 4.1 d; 95% CI, 0.8-7.4 d) and a shorter duration of weaning (eight trials; mean difference, 2.3 d; 95% CI, 0.7-4.0 d), but confidence in these pooled estimates was low owing to methodological limitations, including substantial statistical and methodological heterogeneity. CONCLUSIONS: Most studies of IMT in critically ill patients have employed inspiratory threshold loading. IMT is feasible and well tolerated in critically ill patients and improves both inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength. The impact of IMT on clinical outcomes requires future confirmation.

Mechanical Ventilation-induced Diaphragm Atrophy Strongly Impacts Clinical Outcomes.

RATIONALE: Diaphragm dysfunction worsens outcomes in mechanically ventilated patients, but the clinical impact of potentially preventable changes in diaphragm structure and function caused by mechanical ventilation is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether diaphragm atrophy developing during mechanical ventilation leads to prolonged ventilation. METHODS: Diaphragm thickness was measured daily by ultrasound in adults requiring invasive mechanical ventilation; inspiratory effort was assessed by thickening fraction. The primary outcome was time to liberation from ventilation. Secondary outcomes included complications (reintubation, tracheostomy, prolonged ventilation, or death). Associations were adjusted for age, severity of illness, sepsis, sedation, neuromuscular blockade, and comorbidity. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Of 211 patients enrolled, 191 had two or more diaphragm thickness measurements. Thickness decreased more than 10% in 78 patients (41%) by median Day 4 (interquartile range, 3-5). Development of decreased thickness was associated with a lower daily probability of liberation from ventilation (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.54-0.87; per 10% decrease), prolonged ICU admission (adjusted duration ratio, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.29-2.27), and a higher risk of complications (adjusted odds ratio, 3.00; 95% CI, 1.34-6.72). Development of increased thickness (n = 47; 24%) also predicted prolonged ventilation (adjusted duration ratio, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.00-1.90). Decreasing thickness was related to abnormally low inspiratory effort; increasing thickness was related to excessive effort. Patients with thickening fraction between 15% and 30% (similar to breathing at rest) during the first 3 days had the shortest duration of ventilation. CONCLUSIONS: Diaphragm atrophy developing during mechanical ventilation strongly impacts clinical outcomes. Targeting an inspiratory effort level similar to that of healthy subjects at rest might accelerate liberation from ventilation.

Evaluación de los criterios apropiados para la indicación de ecocardiografía de estrés en un centro cardiovascular de referencia / Assessment of the appropriateness criteria for the indication of stress echocardiography in a cardiovascular reference center

Reseña: El propósito de este estudio es evaluar la aplicación clínica e indicación de los criterios apropiados para la ecocardiografía de estrés de acuerdo a la Fundación del Colegio Americano de Cardiología/Sociedad Americana de Ecocardiografía, en la práctica diaria de un centro cardiovascular de referencia. Materiales y métodos: Fueron incluidos los estudios consecutivos realizados entre enero de 2012 y julio de 2013. Los datos fueron revisados, analizados y clasificados por cuatro cardiólogos expertos teniendo en cuenta: la demografía, la especialidad que refiere, la indicación primaria y su clasificación final como apropiados, inapropiados o inciertos. Resultados: Un total de 1.556 estudios fueron incluidos inicialmente, 450 fueron excluidos por estar relacionados con programas de trasplante de órgano sólido y en 170 no se pudo determinar una indicación clara para el estudio. Los 936 estudios restantes (85%) fueron analizados para la determinación de criterios apropiados. De estos 679 (73%) tenían una indicación apropiada, 70 (7%) eran inciertos y 187 (20%) fueron inapropiados. Cuatrocientos veintiocho (46%) fueron referidos por medicina interna, 375 (40%) por cardiología, 51 (5%) por anestesiología y 82 (10%) por medicina general y otras especialidades. Un total de 159 (17%) estudios arrojaron un resultado anormal, todos ellos estaban apropiadamente indicados, ninguno fue anormal en los inapropiadamente indicados. Conclusiones: La revisión de la aplicación de los criterios apropiados para la ecocardiografía de estrés no solo permite una implementación clínica efectiva en un centro cardiovascular de referencia, sino que también estratifica razonablemente la posibilidad de tener un resultado anormal en aquellos con una indicación apropiada. Sin embargo, esto debería validarse extensamente en una cohorte multicéntrica.

Background: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical application and assessment of appropriate criteria for the indication of stress echocardiograms according to the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Society of Echocardiography in daily clinical practice at a cardiovascular reference center. Materials and methods: All consecutive studies carried out between January 2012 and July 2013 were included. The data was reviewed, analyzed and classified by four expert cardiologists regarding issues such as demography, referred specialty, primary indication and its final classification as appropriate, inappropriate or uncertain. Results: A total of 1,556 studies were initially included, 450 which were excluded as being related to program of solid organ transplantation and 170 as no clear indication of the study could be determined. Therefore, the remaining 936 were analyzed for the evaluation of appropriateness criteria. Of these 679 (73%) had appropriate indication, 70 (7%) were uncertain and 187 (20%) inappropriate. 428 (46%) were referred by internal medicine, 375 (40%) by cardiology, 51 (5%) by anesthesiology and 82 (10%) by general medicine and other specialties. A total of 159 (17%) studies rendered an abnormal result, all of them which were properly indicated, and no one was abnormal in the inappropriately indicated. Conclusions: Reviewing appropriateness criteria for SE not only allows an effective characterization and clinical performance in a single center, but also reasonably stratifies the possibility of having an abnormal result in those with an appropriate indication. However, this should be validated extensively in a multicenter cohort.

Prinzmetal's angina.

This syndrome is due to focal spasm of an epicardial coronary artery, leading to severe myocardial ischemia. Although it is frequently thought that the spasm occurs in arteries without stenosis, many Prinzmetal patients have spasm adjacent to atheromatous plaques. The exact cause of the spasm has not been well defined, but it may be related to the hypercontractility of the vascular smooth muscle due to vasoconstrictor mitogens, leukotrienes, or serotonin. In some patients, it is a manifestation of a vasospastic disorder and it is associated with migraine, Raynaud's phenomenon, or aspirin-induced asthma. We present a case associated with transient ST-segment depression.

Angina de Prinzmetal / Angina de Prinzmetal / Prinzmetal's angina

Essa síndrome é causada por um espasmo focal de uma artéria coronária epicárdica, levando a isquemia miocárdica grave. Embora freqüentemente acredite-se que o espasmo ocorra em artérias sem estenose, muitos pacientes com angina de Prinzmetal apresentam espasmo adjacente a placas ateromatosas. A causa exata do espasmo não está bem definida, mas pode estar relacionada à hipercontratilidade do músculo liso vascular devido a mitógenos vasoconstrictores, leucotrienos ou serotonina. Em alguns pacientes, é uma manifestação de distúrbio vasoespástico e está associado à migrânea, fenômeno de Raynaud ou asma induzida por aspirina. Apresentamos um caso associado com depressão transitória do segmento ST.

This syndrome is due to focal spasm of an epicardial coronary artery, leading to severe myocardial ischemia. Although it is frequently thought that the spasm occurs in arteries without stenosis, many Prinzmetal patients have spasm adjacent to atheromatous plaques. The exact cause of the spasm has not been well defined, but it may be related to the hypercontractility of the vascular smooth muscle due to vasoconstrictor mitogens, leukotrienes, or serotonin. In some patients, it is a manifestation of a vasospastic disorder and it is associated with migraine, Raynaud's phenomenon, or aspirin-induced asthma. We present a case associated with transient ST-segment depression.

Este síndrome es causado por un espasmo focal de una arteria coronaria epicárdica, llevando a isquemia miocárdica grave. Aunque frecuentemente se crea que el espasmo ocurra en arterias sin estenosis, muchos pacientes con angina de Prinzmetal presentan espasmo adyacente a placas ateromatosas. La causa exacta del espasmo no está bien definida, pero puede estar relacionada a la hipercontractilidad del músculo liso vascular debido a mitógenos vasoconstrictores, leucotrienos o serotonina. En algunos pacientes, es una manifestación de disturbio vasoespástico y está asociado a la migraña, fenómeno de Raynaud o asma inducida por aspirina. Presentamos un caso asociado con depresión transitoria del segmento ST.