Rengin Demir

Effects of inspiratory muscle training on pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength and functional capacity in patients with atrial fibrillation: a randomized controlled trial:

Objective: To investigate the effects of inspiratory muscle training on pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength and functional capacity in patients with atrial fibrillation. Design: Prospective randomized controlled single-blind study. Setting: Cardiology department of a university hospital. Subjects: A total of 38 patients with permanent atrial fibrillation were randomly allocated to either a treatment group (n = 19; age 66.2 years (8.8)) or a control group (n = 19; age 67.1 years (6.4)). Methods: The training group received inspiratory muscle training at 30% of maximal inspiratory pressure for 15 minutes twice a day, 7 days a week, for 12 weeks alongside the standard medical treatment. The control group received standard medical treatment only. Spirometry, maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures and 6-minute walking distance was measured at the beginning and end of the study. Results: There was a significant increase in maximal inspiratory pressure (27.94 cmH2O (8.90)), maximal expiratory pressure (24.53 cmH2O (10.34)), forced vital capacity (10.29% (8.18) predicted), forced expiratory volume in one second (13.88% (13.42) predicted), forced expiratory flow 25%–75% (14.82% (12.44) predicted), peak expiratory flow (19.82% (15.62) predicted) and 6-minute walking distance (55.53 m (14.13)) in the training group (p < 0.01). No significant changes occurred in the control group (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Inspiratory muscle training can improve pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength and functional capacity in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Relationship of respiratory muscle strength, pulmonary function, and functional capacity with quality of life in patients with atrial fibrillation

Objective To examine the relationship of pulmonary parameters and functional capacity with quality of life (QoL) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods Thirty-six patients with chronic AF were included in this cross-sectional study. QoL was assessed with the Medical Outcomes Survey 36-item Short Form (SF-36) and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ). Respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary function were also measured. Functional capacity was assessed with the 6-min walk test (6MWT). The Borg CR10 Scale was used to determine the resting dyspnea and fatigue levels. Results The SF-36 physical component summary score was correlated with the maximum inspiratory pressure (r = 0.517), maximum expiratory pressure (r = 0.391), 6MWT distance (r = 0.542), resting Borg dyspnea score (r = −0.692), and resting Borg fatigue score (r = −0.727). The MLHFQ total score was correlated with the maximum inspiratory pressure (r = −0.542), maximum expiratory pressure (r = −0.384), 6MWT distance (r = −0.535), resting Borg dyspnea score (r = 0.641), and resting Borg fatigue score (r = 0.703). The resting Borg fatigue score was the significant independent predictor of the SF-36 physical component score and the MLHFQ total score. Conclusion Respiratory muscle strength, functional capacity measured with the 6MWT, and resting symptoms including dyspnea and fatigue may have an impact on QoL in patients with AF.

Preoperative and Postoperative Respiratory Rehabilitation in A Patient with Spinal Cord Injury Undergoing Diaphragmatic Pacing

Acute and chronic respiratory complications are the leading cause of mortality after spinal cord injury (SCI). Patients with SCI may be able to breathe spontaneously without the need for mechanical ventilatory support via the diaphragmatic pacing system. Respiratory rehabilitation during this period aims to provide more effective device function and speed up the familiarization of the patient with the device. The aim of our case report was to investigate the efficiency of preoperative and postoperative respiratory rehabilitation in a patient with cervical SCI undergoing diaphragmatic pacing.

Electrical pain threshold in patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic ischemic heart disease and healthy subjects

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the electrical pain threshold (EPT) in patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic ischemic heart disease and to compare them with healthy subjects. EPT was investigated in 20 symptomatic (mean age 51.3 ± 8.5 years), 16 asymptomatic patients (mean age 54.9 ± 7.3 years) and 20 healthy subjects (mean age 54.2 ± 7.3 years). EPT was tested on the distal volar surface of the third and fourth fingers and over the volar distal area of radius in both hands by faradic current. No difference between right and left side thresholds was observed in asymptomatic patients and control subjects. EPT was instead significantly lower in the left than in right side in symptomatic patients.