Effects of a cardiopulmonary rehabilitation protocol on functional capacity, dyspnea, fatigue, and body composition in individuals with post-COVID-19 syndrome: A randomized controlled trial.

Background And Objective: Reduced functional capacity, dyspnea, fatigue, and changes in body composition are common in patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS), and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation may improve these parameters. Thus, the present study verified the effects of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation (respiratory, aerobic, and resistance muscle training) on submaximal exercise tolerance, dyspnea, fatigue, and body composition.

Methods: This controlled and randomized clinical trial applied a six-week outpatient intervention protocol in individuals over 18 years old (n = 33) with a diagnosis of COVID-19 confirmed by polymerase chain reaction.

Respiratory Muscle Strength and Quality of Life in Patients With Heart Failure and Their Main Correlated Factors: A Cross-sectional Study.

Background: Heart failure may cause peripheral and respiratory muscle alterations, dyspnea, fatigue, and exercise intolerance, worsening the quality of life of patients.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to analyze respiratory muscle strength and quality of life of patients with heart failure and correlate them with clinical variables and functional classification.

Methods: This cross-sectional study involved patients with heart failure.

Efficacy of a rehabilitation protocol on pulmonary and respiratory muscle function and ultrasound evaluation of diaphragm and quadriceps femoris in patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome: a series of cases.

This study assessed the efficacy of a pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) on pulmonary and respiratory muscle function and thickness of quadriceps femoris and diaphragm of patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome. This series of cases followed nine patients who performed PR twice a week for six weeks. Patients received the following PR program: lung expansion therapy; respiratory muscle training; upper limb strength exercises; aerobic exercises on a treadmill.

Analysis of respiratory muscle strength and its relationship with functional capacity between different field tests in patients with heart failure.

Objective: To analyze respiratory muscle strength of patients with heart failure (HF) and correlate with functional capacity.

Methods: This cross-sectional study involved patients with compensated HF of both sexes, aged above 18 years. Respiratory muscle strength was assessed by measuring maximum inspiratory (MIP) and expiratory pressures (MEP) using a manovacuometer.

Efficacy and safety of HD-tDCS and respiratory rehabilitation for critically ill patients with COVID-19 The HD-RECOVERY randomized clinical trial.

Background And Purpose: Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ADRS) due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been associated with muscle fatigue, corticospinal pathways dysfunction, and mortality. High-Definition transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (HD-tDCS) may be used to attenuate clinical impairment in these patients. The HD-RECOVERY randomized clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of HD-tDCS with respiratory rehabilitation in patients with moderate to severe ARDS due to COVID-19.

Distinct phenotypes in COVID-19 may require distinct pulmonary rehabilitation strategies.

The novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has distinct clinical manifestations that can vary from an asymptomatic condition to severe acute respiratory failure. Phenotypes are attributable to different pathophysiological mechanisms and require different treatment strategies. The assessment and identification of different phenotypes can guide therapy configurations such as oxygen therapy, non-invasive ventilation, airway management, and tracheal intubation.

Logistic Regression Model in a Machine Learning Application to Predict Elderly Kidney Transplant Recipients with Worse Renal Function One Year after Kidney Transplant: Elderly KTbot.

Background: Renal replacement therapy (RRT) is a public health problem worldwide. Kidney transplantation (KT) is the best treatment for elderly patients' longevity and quality of life.

Objectives: The primary endpoint was to compare elderly versus younger KT recipients by analyzing the risk covariables involved in worsening renal function, proteinuria, graft loss, and death one year after KT.

Oxidative stress and immune system analysis after cycle ergometer use in critical patients.

Objective:: The passive cycle ergometer aims to prevent hypotrophy and improve muscle strength, with a consequent reduction in hospitalization time in the intensive care unit and functional improvement. However, its effects on oxidative stress and immune system parameters remain unknown. The aim of this study is to analyze the effects of a passive cycle ergometer on the immune system and oxidative stress in critical patients.

Smoking as risk factor for chronic kidney disease: systematic review.

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and smoking are public health problems.

Objective: To assess smoking as a risk factor for progression of CKD.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review in Medline, LILACS, SciELO, Google Scholar, Embase and Trials.

Effects of electrical muscle stimulation early in the quadriceps and tibialis anterior muscle of critically ill patients.

Background: Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) is applied to critically ill patients in order to improve their muscle strength, thereby preventing hypotrophy and promoting functional recovery.

Objective: To assess the effects of early EMS on the range of movement of the ankle joint, and on thigh and leg circumference in critically ill patients.

Methods: This is a prospective randomized clinical trial comprising 11 patients undergoing mechanical ventilation.

Effects of controlled and pressure support mechanical ventilation on rat diaphragm muscle.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of Pressure Controlled Ventilation mode (PCV-C) and PSV mode in diaphragm muscle of rats.

Methods: Wistar rats (n=18) were randomly assigned to the control group or to receive 6 hours of PCV and PSV. After this period, animals were euthanized and their diaphragms were excised, frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored in at -80º C for further histomorphometric analysis.

Expiratory peak flow and respiratory system resistance in mechanically ventilated patients undergoing two different forms of manually assisted cough.

Objective: Mechanical ventilation is associated with retained airway secretions. Manually assisted cough contributes to the displacement of bronchial mucus, whereas positive end-expiratory pressure increases collateral ventilation and maintains airway patency. This study aimed to assess the effects of manually assisted cough, either alone or added to increased positive end-expiratory pressure and inspiratory time (optimized manually assisted cough), on the expiratory peak flow and respiratory system mechanics in mechanically ventilated patients.

Physical therapy in critically ill adult patients: recommendations from the Brazilian Association of Intensive Care Medicine Department of Physical Therapy.

Complications from immobility in intensive care unit patients contribute to functional decline, increased healthcare costs, reduced quality of life and higher post-discharge mortality. Physical therapy focuses on promoting recovery and preserving function, and it may minimize the impact of these complications. A group of Brazilian Association of Intensive Care Medicine physical therapy experts developed this document that contains minimal physical therapy recommendations appropriate to the Brazilian real-world clinical situation.

Respiratory mechanics of neurological patients undergoing mechanical ventilation under water heated humidifier and a heat exchanger filter model.

Objectives: In mechanically ventilated patients, humidifier devices are used to heat and moisturize the inspired gas. Heating and humidifying inspired gas may prevent complications associated with the respiratory mucosa dryness such as mucus plugging and endotracheal tube occlusion. Two devices have been commonly used to this, either heated humidifier or the heat moisture exchange filter.