Luiz Alberto Forgiarini Junior

Correlation between trunk control, respiratory muscle strength and spirometry in patients with stroke: an observational study.

INTRODUCTION  Stroke is the main cause of chronic disability in adults, and the effect of a stroke on the respiratory system depends on the structures affected by the lesion.  OBJECTIVES  To evaluate the correlation between trunk control, respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary function in individuals who suffered stroke.  METHODS  Observational, quantitative and descriptive study. Twenty-three patients who had a clinical diagnosis of ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke. The trunk control was assessed through the Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS), and the respiratory muscle strength was assessed by manovacuometry by measuring the maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP). For pulmonary function analysis, we measured forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁), peak expiratory flow (PEF) and the Tiffeneau index (TIFF) through spirometry.  RESULTS  A consistent and statistically significant correlation was found between TIS and PEF (r = 0.489, p = 0.024) and between TIS and EPmax (r = 0.517, p = 0.016). No relation was found between the other variables of pulmonary function and TIS.  CONCLUSION  This study demonstrated that there is a relation between trunk control and respiratory muscular strength, especially concerning the expiratory muscles. However, there seems to be no relation between trunk control and pulmonary function in this series of individuals who suffered stroke.

Estresse oxidativo e alterações estruturais pulmonares no diabetes mellitus experimental

Diabetes mellitus is an endocrine/metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. Its impact on the respiratory system is characterized by functional changes and alterations in gas exchange. The objective of this study was to evaluate the increase in oxidative stress and the potential damages to the lung structure in an experimental model of streptozotocin-induced diabetes. We conducted histological, biochemical and blood gas analyses in the lungs of diabetic rats. We concluded that the effects of experimental diabetes mellitus include oxidative stress, structural changes in the lung tissue and altered gas exchange.

Avaliação da força muscular respiratória e da função pulmonar em pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) is the inability of the heart to pump enough blood to supply the necessities of the body. Pulmonary function and respiratory muscles can be affected and typical symptoms presented by the patients include discomfort at a minimal exertion. OBJECTIVE: To verify pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength in patients with class II and III HF as defined by the New York Heart Association (NYHA). METHODS: The study was descriptive and observational, and comprised 12 class II and III HF patients in follow-up at the out-patient. Pulmonary function assessments [Forced Expiratory Volume in the first second (FEV1) and Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)] were performed using microspirometry and respiratory muscle strength [Maximal Expiratory Pressure (MEPmax) and Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (MIPmax)] were evaluated using a pressure transducer (Globalmed™). RESULTS: Differences were found between the functional classes II and III in relation to pulmonary function: FEV1 (II: 91.17±19.87; III: 68.17±21.78); FVC (II: 68.17±21.78; III: 73.67±22.94); and respiratory muscle strength: MIPmax (II: 71.67±40.70; III: 53.33±29.27) and MEPmax (II: 98.83±34.56; III: 58.33±15.06). The class II were higher for all study parameters, only MEPmax revealed a statistically significant difference. CONCLUSION: The pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength are impaired in heart failure patients class III patients, particularly in relation to MEPmax.

Atendimento fisioterapêutico no pós-operatório imediato de pacientes submetidos à cirurgia abdominal

A series of pulmonary complications can occur after abdominal surgery. Therefore, it is necessary to introduce appropriate treatment early in order to minimize postoperative complications. The objective of the present study was to evaluate patients submitted to abdominal surgery in terms of the effect of physical therapy in the immediate postoperative period. This was a randomized clinical trial, in which one group of patients was submitted to physical therapy in the postoperative recovery room and, subsequently, in the infirmary, whereas another group was submitted to physical therapy in the infirmary exclusively. We conclude that physical therapy performed in the immediate postoperative period minimizes losses in lung function and respiratory muscle strength, as well as shortening recovery room stays.

Aminoguanidine reduces oxidative stress and structural lung changes in experimental diabetes mellitus

We evaluated the effect of aminoguanidine on pulmonary oxidative stress and lung structure in an experimental model of diabetes mellitus. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), histology and arterial blood gases were evaluated in animals with diabetes mellitus (DM group), animals with diabetes mellitus treated with aminoguanidine (DM+AG group), and controls. The TBARS levels were significantly higher in the DM group than in the control and DM+AG groups (2.90 ± 1.12 vs. 1.62 ± 0.28 and 1.68 ± 0.04 nmol/mg protein, respectively), as was PaCO2 when compared with that of the control group (49.2 ± 1.65 vs. 38.12 ± 4.85 mmHg), and PaO2 was significantly higher in the control group (104.5 ± 6.3 vs. 16.30 ± 69.48 and 97.05 ± 14.02 mmHg, respectively). In this experimental model of diabetes mellitus, aminoguanidine reduced oxidative stress, structural tissue alterations, and gas exchange.

Reflex cough PEF as a predictor of successful extubation in neurological patients

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the use of reflex cough PEF as a predictor of successful extubation in neurological patients who were candidates for weaning from mechanical ventilation. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 135 patients receiving mechanical ventilation for more than 24 h in the ICU of Cristo Redentor Hospital, in the city of Porto Alegre, Brazil. Reflex cough PEF, the rapid shallow breathing index, MIP, and MEP were measured, as were ventilatory, hemodynamic, and clinical parameters. Results: The mean age of the patients was 47.8 ± 17 years. The extubation failure rate was 33.3%. A reflex cough PEF of < 80 L/min showed a relative risk of 3.6 (95% CI: 2.0-6.7), and the final Glasgow Coma Scale score showed a relative risk of 0.64 (95% CI: 0.51-0.83). For every 1-point increase in a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 8, there was a 36% reduction in the risk of extubation failure. Conclusions: Reflex cough PEF and the Glasgow Coma Scale score are independent predictors of extubation failure in neurological patients admitted to the ICU.

Accuracy of the Timed Up and Go test for predicting sarcopenia in elderly hospitalized patients

OBJECTIVES: The ability of the Timed Up and Go test to predict sarcopenia has not been evaluated previously. The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the Timed Up and Go test for predicting sarcopenia in elderly hospitalized patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional study analyzed 68 elderly patients (≥60 years of age) in a private hospital in the city of Salvador-BA, Brazil, between the 1st and 5th day of hospitalization. The predictive variable was the Timed Up and Go test score, and the outcome of interest was the presence of sarcopenia (reduced muscle mass associated with a reduction in handgrip strength and/or weak physical performance in a 6-m gait-speed test). After the descriptive data analyses, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of a test using the predictive variable to predict the presence of sarcopenia were calculated. RESULTS: In total, 68 elderly individuals, with a mean age 70.4±7.7 years, were evaluated. The subjects had a Charlson Comorbidity Index score of 5.35±1.97. Most (64.7%) of the subjects had a clinical admission profile; the main reasons for hospitalization were cardiovascular disorders (22.1%), pneumonia (19.1%) and abdominal disorders (10.2%). The frequency of sarcopenia in the sample was 22.1%, and the mean length of time spent performing the Timed Up and Go test was 10.02±5.38 s. A time longer than or equal to a cutoff of 10.85 s on the Timed Up and Go test predicted sarcopenia with a sensitivity of 67% and a specificity of 88.7%. The accuracy of this cutoff for the Timed Up and Go test was good (0.80; IC=0.66-0.94; p=0.002). CONCLUSION: The Timed Up and Go test was shown to be a predictor of sarcopenia in elderly hospitalized patients.

Avaliação da independência funcional após alta da unidade de terapia intensiva

Objective 1) To evaluate the functional independence measures immediately after discharge from an intensive care unit and to compare these values with the FIMs 30 days after that period. 2) To evaluate the possible associated risk factors. Methods The present investigation was a prospective cohort study that included individuals who were discharged from the intensive care unit and underwent physiotherapy in the unit. Functional independence was evaluated using the functional independence measure immediately upon discharge from the intensive care unit and 30 days thereafter via a phone call. The patients were admitted to the Hospital Santa Clara intensive care unit during the period from May 2011 to August 2011. Results During the predetermined period of data collection, 44 patients met the criteria for inclusion in the study. The mean age of the patients was 55.4±10.5 years. Twenty-seven of the subjects were female, and 15 patients were admitted due to pulmonary disease. The patients exhibited an functional independence measure of 84.1±24.2. When this measure was compared to the measure at 30 days after discharge, there was improvement across the functional independence variables except for that concerned with sphincter control. There were no significant differences when comparing the gender, age, clinical diagnosis, length of stay in the intensive care unit, duration of mechanical ventilation, and the presence of sepsis during this period. Conclusion Functional independence, as evaluated by the functional independence measure scale, was improved at 30 days after discharge from the intensive care unit, but it was not possible to define the potentially related factors.

Effects of manual rib-cage compression versus PEEP-ZEEP maneuver on respiratory system compliance and oxygenation in patients receiving mechanical ventilation

OBJECTIVES Patients unable to perform breathing functions may be submitted to invasive mechanical ventilation. Chest physiotherapy acts directly on the treatment of these patients for the purpose of improving their lung function. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of manual rib-cage compression versus the positive end expiratory pressure-zero end expiratory pressure (PEEP-ZEEP) maneuver, on compliance of the respiratory system and oxygenation in patients under invasive mechanical ventilation. METHODS A double centric, prospective, randomized and crossover study, with patients under invasive mechanical ventilation, in controlled mode for more than 48 hours was carried out. The protocols of chest physiothe-rapy were randomly applied at an interval of 24 hours. Data of respiratory system compliance and oxygenation were collected before application of the protocols and 30 minutes after. RESULTS Twelve patients completed the study. Intragroup analysis, for both techniques showed a statistically significant difference in tidal volume (p=0.002), static compliance (p=0.002) and dynamic compliance (p=0.002). In relation to oxygenation, in the group of manual rib-cage compression, peripheral oxygen saturation increased with a significant difference (p=0.011). CONCLUSIONS Manual rib-cage compression and PEEP-ZEEP maneuver have positive clinical effects. In relation to oxygenation we found a favorable behavior of peripheral oxygen saturation in the group of manual rib-cage compression.

Pré-condicionamento isquêmico por oclusão seletiva da artéria pulmonar em ratos

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito do pre-condicionamento isquemico (PCI) em modelo de isquemia e reperfusao (I/R) pulmonar normotermica em ratos, quantificando a producao de especies reativas do oxigenio. METODOS: Quarenta e sete ratos Wistar foram randomizados em quatro grupos: controle, sham, I/R e PCI. Apos anestesia, animais do grupo controle foram sacrificados por decapitacao, pneumonectomizados, e os pulmoes esquerdos armazenados em nitrogenio liquido. Animais dos grupos sham, I/R e PCI foram anestesiados, traqueostomizados, ventilados, anticoagulados e submetidos a uma toracotomia esquerda com disseccao da arteria pulmonar esquerda para clampeamento. No grupo sham procedeu-se a disseccao da arteria pulmonar esquerda; no grupo I/R, clampeamento hilar total de 30 min e no grupo PCI, clampeamento da arteria pulmonar esquerda por 5 min seguido por reperfusao de 10 min e um clampeamento hilar total de 30 min. Pulmoes foram reperfundidos por 90 min e ventilados com os mesmos parâmetros, acrescidos de pressao expiratoria final positiva de 1 cmH2O. Foram obtidas medidas hemodinâmicas e gasometricas antes da toracotomia, antes do clampeamento hilar total, aos 30 e 90 min de reperfusao. A peroxidacao lipidica foi estabelecida por meio da determinacao das substâncias reativas ao acido tiobarbiturico. RESULTADOS: A determinacao das substâncias reativas ao acido tiobarbiturico analisada nos grupos controle, sham, I/R, PCI nao revelou diferencas significativas, o mesmo ocorrendo com a pressao parcial arterial de oxigenio, pressao parcial arterial de gas carbonico e medidas hemodinâmicas entre os grupos sham, I/R e PCI. CONCLUSOES: O PCI de 5 min da arteria pulmonar esquerda em modelo de I/R in situ em ratos nao atenua a lesao de I/R.