Risk Factors for Inspiratory Muscle Weakness in Chronic Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND: Chronic heart failure is commonly associated with inspiratory muscle weakness. However, few studies have investigated the risk factors for inspiratory muscle weakness in individuals with chronic heart failure and systolic dysfunction (left-ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] <40%). METHODS: Seventy subjects were recruited in a cardiac center. We assessed clinical parameters, smoking history, peripheral muscle strength, pulmonary function, echocardiographic variables, and brain natriuretic peptide. The subjects were classified with inspiratory muscle weakness when the maximum inspiratory pressure was <70% of predicted values. RESULTS: Thirty-six subjects (51%) had inspiratory muscle weakness. The subjects with inspiratory muscle weakness and the subjects with no inspiratory muscle weakness were similar in age, sex, body mass index, medication use, and physical activity. However, the subjects with inspiratory muscle weakness had lower LVEF (P = .003), systolic blood pressure (P = .01), diastolic blood pressure (P = .042), quadriceps muscle strength (P = .02), lung function (P = .035), increased brain natriuretic peptide (P = .02), smoking history (P = .01), and pulmonary hypertension incidence (P = .03). Multivariate logistic regression analysis found a lower LVEF, increased smoking history, and lower systolic blood pressure as significant independent predictors for inspiratory muscle weakness. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of lower LVEF, lower systolic blood pressure, and smoking history predicted inspiratory muscle weakness. Patients with suspected inspiratory muscle weakness should be examined and, if inspiratory muscle weakness exists, then inspiratory muscle training should be provided. Reducing inspiratory muscle weakness has the potential to improve many of the deleterious effects of chronic heart failure.

[National consensus on the modified Atkins diet]. / Consenso nacional de dieta Atkins modificada.

INTRODUCTION: Epilepsy is a chronic disease that affects 0.5-1% of the population. One third of the patients become refractory to antiepileptic drugs. Among the non-pharmacological treatments available, the modified Atkins diet is an effective treatment used since 2003 as another alternative for children and adults with refractory epilepsy. DEVELOPMENT: The Ketogenic Diet National Committee, which depends on the Argentine Society of Pediatric Neurology, elaborated this consensus on the modified Atkins diet, basing itself on a review of the literature and on their clinical experience. This consensus in Spanish explains the different aspects to be taken into account regarding the modified Atkins diet, patient selection, implementation, different controls and adverse effects. Unlike the classic ketogenic diet, the modified Atkins diet is initiated without fasting or hospital stay, nor does it require protein, calorie or fluid restriction, thus improving patient palatability and consequently patient tolerability. CONCLUSIONS: The modified Atkins diet is a useful treatment for patients with intractable epilepsy. The publication of this consensus offers the possibility for new centers to get oriented regarding this diet implementation.

TITLE: Consenso nacional de dieta Atkins modificada.Introduccion. La epilepsia es una enfermedad cronica que afecta al 0,5-1% de la poblacion, y un tercio de los pacientes evoluciona hacia una forma refractaria a los farmacos antiepilepticos. Dentro de los tratamientos no farmacologicos disponibles, la dieta cetogenica Atkins modificada es un tratamiento efectivo utilizado desde 2003 como otra alternativa en niños y adultos con epilepsia refractaria. Desarrollo. El Comite Nacional de Dieta Cetogenica, dependiente de la Sociedad Argentina de Neurologia Infantil, elaboro este consenso sobre dieta Atkins modificada basandose en una revision de la bibliografia y en su experiencia clinica. Este consenso explica los distintos aspectos que hay que tener en cuenta sobre la dieta Atkins modificada, eleccion de pacientes, forma de implementacion, diversos controles y efectos adversos. A diferencia de la dieta cetogenica clasica, se inicia sin ayuno ni hospitalizacion, y no hay restriccion proteica, calorica o hidrica, por lo que mejora la palatabilidad y, consecuentemente, la tolerabilidad. Conclusiones. La dieta Atkins modificada es un tratamiento util para pacientes con epilepsia intratable. La publicacion de este consenso ofrece la posibilidad de orientar a nuevos centros en su implementacion.

Risk factors for inspiratory muscle weakness in chronic heart failure

BACKGROUND: Chronic heart failure is commonly associated with inspiratory muscle weakness. However, few studies have investigated the risk factors for inspiratory muscle weakness in individuals with chronic heart failure and systolic dysfunction (left-ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] <40%). METHODS: Seventy subjects were recruited in a cardiac center. We assessed clinical parameters, smoking history, peripheral muscle strength, pulmonary function, echocardiographic variables, and brain natriuretic peptide. The subjects were classified with inspiratory muscle weakness when the maximum inspiratory pressure was <70% of predicted values. RESULTS: Thirty-six subjects (51%) had inspiratory muscle weakness. The subjects with inspiratory muscle weakness and the subjects with no inspiratory muscle weakness were similar in age, sex, body mass index, medication use, and physical activity. However, the subjects with inspiratory muscle weakness had lower LVEF (P = .003), systolic blood pressure (P = .01), diastolic blood pressure (P = .042), quadriceps muscle strength (P = .02), lung function (P = .035), increased brain natriuretic peptide (P = .02), smoking history (P = .01), and pulmonary hypertension incidence (P = .03). Multivariate logistic regression analysis found a lower LVEF, increased smoking history, and lower systolic blood pressure as significant independent predictors for inspiratory muscle weakness. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of lower LVEF, lower systolic blood pressure, and smoking history predicted inspiratory muscle weakness. Patients with suspected inspiratory muscle weakness should be examined and, if inspiratory muscle weakness exists, then inspiratory muscle training should be provided. Reducing inspiratory muscle weakness has the potential to improve many of the deleterious effects of chronic heart failure. (AU)

Consenso nacional de dieta Atkins modificada / National consensus on the modified Atkins diet

Introducción. La epilepsia es una enfermedad crónica que afecta al 0,5-1% de la población, y un tercio de los pacientes evoluciona hacia una forma refractaria a los fármacos antiepilépticos. Dentro de los tratamientos no farmacológicos disponibles, la dieta cetogénica Atkins modificada es un tratamiento efectivo utilizado desde 2003 como otra alternativa en niños y adultos con epilepsia refractaria. Desarrollo. El Comité Nacional de Dieta Cetogénica, dependiente de la Sociedad Argentina de Neurología Infantil, elaboró este consenso sobre dieta Atkins modificada basándose en una revisión de la bibliografía y en su experiencia clínica. Este consenso explica los distintos aspectos que hay que tener en cuenta sobre la dieta Atkins modificada, elección de pacientes, forma de implementación, diversos controles y efectos adversos. A diferencia de la dieta cetogénica clásica, se inicia sin ayuno ni hospitalización, y no hay restricción proteica, calórica o hídrica, por lo que mejora la palatabilidad y, consecuentemente, la tolerabilidad. Conclusiones. La dieta Atkins modificada es un tratamiento útil para pacientes con epilepsia intratable. La publicación de este consenso ofrece la posibilidad de orientar a nuevos centros en su implementación (AU)

Introduction. Epilepsy is a chronic disease that affects 0.5-1% of the population. One third of the patients become refractory to antiepileptic drugs. Among the non-pharmacological treatments available, the modified Atkins diet is an effective treatment used since 2003 as another alternative for children and adults with refractory epilepsy. Development. The Ketogenic Diet National Committee, which depends on the Argentine Society of Pediatric Neurology, elaborated this consensus on the modified Atkins diet, basing itself on a review of the literature and on their clinical experience. This consensus in Spanish explains the different aspects to be taken into account regarding the modified Atkins diet, patient selection, implementation, different controls and adverse effects. Unlike the classic ketogenic diet, the modified Atkins diet is initiated without fasting or hospital stay, nor does it require protein, calorie or fluid restriction, thus improving patient palatability and consequently patient tolerability. Conclusions. The modified Atkins diet is a useful treatment for patients with intractable epilepsy. The publication of this consensus offers the possibility for new centers to get oriented regarding this diet implementation (AU)