Inter-Examiner and Intra-Examiner Reliability of Quantitative and Qualitative Ultrasonography Assessment of Peripheral and Respiratory Muscles in Critically Ill Patients.

ICU patients are exposed to several factors that can lead to muscle structural and functional changes, and ultrasonography can identify them. Although several studies have analyzed the reliability of muscle ultrasonography assessment, a protocol with more muscle assessments becomes a challenge. The aim of this study was to analyze the inter and intra-examiner reliability of peripheral and respiratory muscle ultrasonography assessment in critically ill patients. The sample size was 10 individuals aged ≥ 18 years who were admitted to the ICU. Practical training of four health professionals from different backgrounds was performed. After training, each examiner acquired three images to assess the thickness and echogenicity of the muscle groups: biceps brachii, forearm flexor group, quadriceps femoris, tibialis anterior and diaphragm. For the reliability analysis, an intraclass correlation coefficient was performed. Six hundred US images were analyzed for muscle thickness and 150 for echogenicity. Excellent intra-examiner reliability for echogenicity (ICC: 0.867-0.973) and inter-examiner reliability for thickness were found in all muscle groups (ICC: 0.778-0.942). For muscle thickness intra-examiner reliability, excellent results were found (ICC: 0.798-0.988), with a "good" correlation in one diaphragm assessment (ICC: 0.718). Excellent inter- and intra-examiner reliability of the thickness assessment and intra-examiner echogenicity of all muscles analyzed were found.

Effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on functional exercise capacity in patients undergoing cardiac surgery: A randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on functional capacity of patients in the immediate postoperative period of cardiac surgery. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized controlled trial. SETTING: A cardiac surgery specialist hospital in Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil. Subjects: Patients in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery. INTERVENTION: The control group received the conventional physiotherapy and the intervention group received neuromuscular electrical stimulation of the rectus femoris and gastrocnemius muscles bilaterally, applied for 60 min, twice a day for up to 10 sessions per patient, in the immediate postoperative period until postoperative day 5. MAIN MEASURES: The primary outcome was the distance walked, which was evaluated using the 6-min walk test on postoperative day 5. Secondary outcomes were gait speed, lactate levels, muscle strength, electromyographic activity of the rectus femoris and Functional Independence Measure, some of them evaluated on preoperative and postoperative period. RESULTS: Of 132 eligible patients, 88 patients were included and randomly allocated in two groups, and 45 patients were included in the analysis. No significant difference was found on the distance walked (p = 0.650) between patients allocated in intervention group (239.06 ± 88.55) and control group (254.43 ± 116.67) as well as gait speed (p = 0.363), lactate levels (p = 0.302), knee extensor strength (p = 0.117), handgrip strength (p = 0.882), global muscle strength (p = 0.104), electromyographic activity (p = 0.179) and Functional Independence Measure (p = 0.059). CONCLUSIONS: Although the effects are still uncertain, the use of neuromuscular electrical stimulation carried out in five days didn't present any benefit on functional capacity of patients in the immediate postoperative period of cardiac surgery.

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Hemodynamic and Respiratory Response in Patients Submitted to Cardiac Surgery: Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation seems to be a promising option to intensify the rehabilitation and improve the exercise capacity of patients in the immediate postoperative period of cardiac surgery. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the hemodynamic (heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and mean blood pressure) and respiratory (respiratory rate and oxygen saturation) responses to neuromuscular electrical stimulation in the immediate postoperative period in patients submitted to cardiac surgery and to verify its feasibility and safety. Methods: This is a pilot randomized controlled trial, wherein critical patients in the immediate postoperative period of cardiac surgery were randomly assigned to a control group, using sham neuromuscular electrical stimulation, or an experimental group, submitted to neuromuscular electrical stimulation sessions (FES), for 60 min, with a 50-Hz frequency, 200-µs pulse duration, time on: 3 s, and time off: 9 s. Data distribution was evaluated by the Shapiro-Wilk test. The analysis of variance was used and a p-value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Thirty patients were included in the study. The neuromuscular electrical stimulation was applied within the first 23.13 ± 5.24 h after cardiac surgery, and no changes were found regarding the hemodynamic and respiratory variables between the patients who underwent neuromuscular electrical stimulation, and those in the control group. Conclusions: In the present study, neuromuscular electrical stimulation did not promote changes in hemodynamic and respiratory responses of patients in the immediate postoperative period of cardiac surgery

Effect of prophylactic non-invasive mechanical ventilation on functional capacity after heart valve replacement: a clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: During cardiac surgery, several factors contribute to the development of postoperative pulmonary complications. Non-invasive ventilation is a promising therapeutic tool for improving the functionality of this type of patient. The aim of this study is to evaluate the functional capacity and length of stay of patients in a nosocomial intensive care unit who underwent prophylactic non-invasive ventilation after heart valve replacement. METHOD: The study was a controlled clinical trial, comprising 50 individuals of both sexes who were allocated by randomization into two groups with 25 patients in each group: the control group and experimental group. After surgery, the patients were transferred to the intensive care unit and then participated in standard physical therapy, which was provided to the experimental group after 3 applications of non-invasive ventilation within the first 26 hours after extubation. For non-invasive ventilation, the positive pressure was 10 cm H2O, with a duration of 1 hour. The evaluation was performed on the 7th postoperative day/discharge and included a 6-minute walk test. The intensive care unit and hospitalization times were monitored in both groups. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (REBeC): RBR number 8bxdd3. RESULTS: Analysis of the 6-minute walk test showed that the control group walked an average distance of 264.34±76 meters and the experimental group walked an average distance of 334.07±71 meters (p=0.002). The intensive care unit and hospitalization times did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSION: Non-invasive ventilation as a therapeutic resource was effective toward improving functionality; however, non-invasive ventilation did not influence the intensive care unit or hospitalization times of the studied cardiac patients.

Effect of prophylactic non-invasive mechanical ventilation on functional capacity after heart valve replacement: a clinical trial

OBJECTIVE: During cardiac surgery, several factors contribute to the development of postoperative pulmonary complications. Non-invasive ventilation is a promising therapeutic tool for improving the functionality of this type of patient. The aim of this study is to evaluate the functional capacity and length of stay of patients in a nosocomial intensive care unit who underwent prophylactic non-invasive ventilation after heart valve replacement. METHOD: The study was a controlled clinical trial, comprising 50 individuals of both sexes who were allocated by randomization into two groups with 25 patients in each group: the control group and experimental group. After surgery, the patients were transferred to the intensive care unit and then participated in standard physical therapy, which was provided to the experimental group after 3 applications of non-invasive ventilation within the first 26 hours after extubation. For non-invasive ventilation, the positive pressure was 10 cm H2O, with a duration of 1 hour. The evaluation was performed on the 7th postoperative day/discharge and included a 6-minute walk test. The intensive care unit and hospitalization times were monitored in both groups. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (REBeC): RBR number 8bxdd3. RESULTS: Analysis of the 6-minute walk test showed that the control group walked an average distance of 264.34±76 meters and the experimental group walked an average distance of 334.07±71 meters (p=0.002). The intensive care unit and hospitalization times did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSION: Non-invasive ventilation as a therapeutic resource was effective toward improving functionality; however, non-invasive ventilation did not influence the intensive care unit or hospitalization times of the studied cardiac patients.

Evaluation of peripheral muscle strength of patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery: a longitudinal study.

INTRODUCTION: Peripheral muscle strength has been little explored in the literature in the context of cardiac rehabilitation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the peripheral muscle strength of patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery. METHODS: This was a longitudinal observational study. The peripheral muscle strength was measured using isometric dynamometry lower limb (knee extensors and flexors) at three different times: preoperatively (M1), the day of discharge (M2) and hospital discharge (M3). Participants received physiotherapy pre and postoperatively during the days of hospitalization during the morning and afternoon. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients were evaluated. The values of peripheral muscle strength of knee extensors preoperative found were about 50% lower than those predicted for the healthy population. When comparing muscle strength prior (M1), with the remaining evaluation, found himself in a fall of 29% for the movement of knee extension and 25% for knee flexion in M2 and a decrease of 10% movement for knee extension and 13% for knee flexion in M3 when comparing with M1. CONCLUSION: The values of peripheral muscle strength prior of the study patients were lower than predicted for the healthy population of the same age. After the surgical event this reduction is even more remarkable, being reestablished until the time of discharge, to values close to baseline.

Evaluation of peripheral muscle strength of patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery: a longitudinal study / Avaliação da força muscular periférica de pacientes submetidos à cirurgia cardíaca eletiva: estudo longitudinal

Introduction: Peripheral muscle strength has been little explored in the literature in the context of cardiac rehabilitation. Objective: To evaluate the peripheral muscle strength of patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery. Methods: This was a longitudinal observational study. The peripheral muscle strength was measured using isometric dynamometry lower limb (knee extensors and flexors) at three different times: preoperatively (M1), the day of discharge (M2) and hospital discharge (M3). Participants received physiotherapy pre and postoperatively during the days of hospitalization during the morning and afternoon. Results: Twenty-two patients were evaluated. The values of peripheral muscle strength of knee extensors preoperative found were about 50% lower than those predicted for the healthy population. When comparing muscle strength prior (M1), with the remaining evaluation, found himself in a fall of 29% for the movement of knee extension and 25% for knee flexion in M2 and a decrease of 10% movement for knee extension and 13% for knee flexion in M3 when comparing with M1. Conclusion: The values of peripheral muscle strength prior of the study patients were lower than predicted for the healthy population of the same age. After the surgical event this reduction is even more remarkable, being reestablished until the time of discharge, to values close to baseline. .

Introdução: A força muscular periférica tem sido pouco explorada na literatura atual no contexto da reabilitação cardiovascular. Objetivo: Avaliar a força muscular periférica de pacientes submetidos à cirurgia cardíaca eletiva. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo observacional e longitudinal. A força muscular periférica foi mensurada por meio de dinamometria isométrica de MMII (extensores e flexores de joelho) em três momentos distintos: pré-operatório (M1), dia da alta da unidade de terapia intensiva (M2) e dia da alta hospitalar (M3). Os participantes receberam atendimento fisioterapêutico pré e pós-operatório durante os dias do internamento, nos períodos matutino e vespertino. Resultados: Foram avaliados 22 pacientes. Os valores de força muscular periférica de extensores de joelho pré-operatórios encontrados foram cerca de 50% menores do que os preditos para a população saudável. Ao comparar a força muscular prévia (M1), com os demais momentos de avaliação, encontrou-se em M2 queda de 29% para o movimento de extensão do joelho e 25% para o movimento de flexão de joelho e queda de 10% para o movimento de extensão do joelho e 13% para o movimento de flexão de joelho em M3 ao comparar com M1. Conclusão: Os valores de força muscular periférica prévia dos pacientes do estudo foram menores do que o predito para a população saudável com a mesma faixa etária. Após o evento cirúrgico, essa redução é ainda mais notável, sendo reestabelecida até o momento da alta hospitalar a valores próximos ao basal. .

Determinants of distance walked during the six-minute walk test in patients undergoing cardiac surgery at hospital discharge.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to identify the determinants of distance walked in six-minute walk test (6MWD) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery at hospital discharge. METHODS: The assessment was performed preoperatively and at discharge. Data from patient records were collected and measurement of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) were performed. The six-minute walk test (6MWT) was performed at discharge. Patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery, coronary artery bypass grafting or valve replacement were eligible. Patients older than 75 years who presented arrhythmia during the protocol, with psychiatric disorders, muscular or neurological disorders were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Sixty patients (44.26% male, mean age 51.53 ± 13 years) were assessed. In multivariate analysis the following variables were selected: type of surgery (P = 0.001), duration of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) (P = 0.001), Functional Independence Measure - FIM (0.004) and body mass index - BMI (0.007) with r = 0.91 and r2 = 0.83 with P < 0.001. The equation derived from multivariate analysis: 6MWD = Surgery (89.42) + CPB (1.60) + MIF (2.79 ) - BMI (7.53) - 127.90. CONCLUSION: In this study, the determinants of 6MWD in patients undergoing cardiac surgery were: the type of surgery, CPB time, functional capacity and body mass index.

Acute effects of physiotherapeutic respiratory maneuvers in critically ill patients with craniocerebral trauma.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of physiotherapeutic respiratory maneuvers on cerebral and cardiovascular hemodynamics and blood gas variables. METHOD: A descriptive, longitudinal, prospective, nonrandomized clinical trial that included 20 critical patients with severe craniocerebral trauma who were receiving mechanical ventilation and who were admitted to the intensive care unit. Each patient was subjected to the physiotherapeutic maneuvers of vibrocompression and increased manual expiratory flow (5 minutes on each hemithorax), along with subsequent airway suctioning with prior instillation of saline solution, hyperinflation and hyperoxygenation. Variables related to cardiovascular and cerebral hemodynamics and blood gas variables were recorded after each vibrocompression, increased manual expiratory flow and airway suctioning maneuver and 10 minutes after the end of airway suctioning. RESULTS: The hemodynamic and blood gas variables were maintained during vibrocompression and increased manual expiratory flow maneuvers; however, there were increases in mean arterial pressure, intracranial pressure, heart rate, pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary capillary pressure during airway suctioning. All of the values returned to baseline 10 minutes after the end of airway suctioning. CONCLUSION: Respiratory physiotherapy can be safely performed on patients with severe craniocerebral trauma. Additional caution must be taken when performing airway suctioning because this technique alters cerebral and cardiovascular hemodynamics, even in sedated and paralyzed patients.

Acute effects of physiotherapeutic respiratory maneuvers in critically ill patients with craniocerebral trauma

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of physiotherapeutic respiratory maneuvers on cerebral and cardiovascular hemodynamics and blood gas variables. METHOD: A descriptive, longitudinal, prospective, nonrandomized clinical trial that included 20 critical patients with severe craniocerebral trauma who were receiving mechanical ventilation and who were admitted to the intensive care unit. Each patient was subjected to the physiotherapeutic maneuvers of vibrocompression and increased manual expiratory flow (5 minutes on each hemithorax), along with subsequent airway suctioning with prior instillation of saline solution, hyperinflation and hyperoxygenation. Variables related to cardiovascular and cerebral hemodynamics and blood gas variables were recorded after each vibrocompression, increased manual expiratory flow and airway suctioning maneuver and 10 minutes after the end of airway suctioning. RESULTS: The hemodynamic and blood gas variables were maintained during vibrocompression and increased manual expiratory flow maneuvers; however, there were increases in mean arterial pressure, intracranial pressure, heart rate, pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary capillary pressure during airway suctioning. All of the values returned to baseline 10 minutes after the end of airway suctioning. CONCLUSION: Respiratory physiotherapy can be safely performed on patients with severe craniocerebral trauma. Additional caution must be taken when performing airway suctioning because this technique alters cerebral and cardiovascular hemodynamics, even in sedated and paralyzed patients. .

The effect of breath physiotherapeutic maneuvers on cerebral hemodynamics: a clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the repercussion of respiratory physiotherapy techniques on the mean arterial pressure (MBP), intracranial pressure (ICP), cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), jugular venous oxygen pressure (PjvO2) and jugular venous oxygen saturation (SjvO2). METHOD: The sample consisted of 20 patients with head trauma. The protocol consisted of physiotherapy techniques application of vibrocompression (VBC), expiratory flow increase (EFI) and suction. RESULTS: The results show the maintenance on variables of cerebral hemodynamics during the techniques of VBC and EFI. However, in relation to suction, there was an increase of MBP, ICP, with maintenance of CPP, PjvO2 and SjvO2 and return to baseline of MBP and ICP 10 minutes after the end of suction. CONCLUSION: The respiratory physiotherapy techniques (VBC, EFI) do not promote cerebral hemodynamic repercussion, unlike suction, in severe head injury patients, mechanically ventilated, sedated and paralyzed.

The effect of breath physiotherapeutic maneuvers on cerebral hemodynamics: a clinical trial / Efeitos das manobras de fisioterapia respiratória na hemodinâmica cerebral: um ensaio clínico

OBJECTIVE: To observe the repercussion of respiratory physiotherapy techniques on the mean arterial pressure (MBP), intracranial pressure (ICP), cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), jugular venous oxygen pressure (PjvO2) and jugular venous oxygen saturation (SjvO2). METHOD: The sample consisted of 20 patients with head trauma. The protocol consisted of physiotherapy techniques application of vibrocompression (VBC), expiratory flow increase (EFI) and suction. RESULTS: The results show the maintenance on variables of cerebral hemodynamics during the techniques of VBC and EFI. However, in relation to suction, there was an increase of MBP, ICP, with maintenance of CPP, PjvO2 and SjvO2 and return to baseline of MBP and ICP 10 minutes after the end of suction. CONCLUSION: The respiratory physiotherapy techniques (VBC, EFI) do not promote cerebral hemodynamic repercussion, unlike suction, in severe head injury patients, mechanically ventilated, sedated and paralyzed.

OBJETIVO: Observar a repercussão das técnicas de fisioterapia respiratória na pressão arterial média (PAM), pressão intracraniana (PIC), pressão de perfusão cerebral (PPC), pressão venosa jugular de oxigênio (PjO2) e saturação venosa jugular de oxigênio (SjO2). MÉTODO: Foram incluídos no estudo 20 pacientes com traumatismo cranioencefálico. O protocolo consistiu na aplicação das manobras fisioterapêuticas de vibrocompressão (VBC), aumento de fluxo expiratório (AFE) e aspiração (ASP). RESULTADOS: Os resultados mostraram a manutenção das variáveis da hemodinâmica cerebral durante as manobras de VBC e AFE. Porém, em relação à ASP, houve uma elevação da PAM e PIC, com manutenção da PPC, PjO2 e SjO2 e retorno aos valores basais da PAM e PIC dez minutos após o final da aspiração. CONCLUSÃO: As manobras de fisioterapia respiratória (VBC, AFE) não promovem alterações sobre a hemodinâmica cerebral, ao contrário da ASP traqueal, em pacientes com traumatismo cranioencefálico grave, em ventilação mecânica, sedados e curarizados.