Effects of an educational intervention of physical activity for children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Regular aerobic exercise in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) improves aerobic conditioning and delays disease progression, resulting in better quality of life. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of an aerobic exercise program based on verbal and written guidelines on maximum exercise capacity using a cardiopulmonary exercise test, quality of life, and the self-reported aerobic exercise practice of children and adolescents with CF.

Methods: This randomized controlled trial followed guidelines for physical exercise in a CF center.

Using the interrupter technique to evaluate airway resistance in cystic fibrosis patients.

Objective: To measure airway resistance with the interrupter resistance (Rint) technique in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and to determine whether Rint values correlate with spirometric parameters, as well as to evaluate the accuracy of the Rint technique in determining the airway response to a bronchodilator.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 38 children and adolescents with CF followed at the Cystic Fibrosis Outpatient Clinic of the São Lucas Hospital, located in the city of Porto Alegre, Brazil. After Rint had been measured, the subjects underwent spirometry.

[Post cardiac surgery In children: extubation failure predictor's].

Background And Objectives: It is important to know the risk factors for extubation failure (EF) in children submitted to cardiac surgery in order to avoid inherent events due to reintubation (airways injury, usage of medications, cardiovascular changes) and because of prolonged ventilatory support (pneumonias, reduction of the ventilatory muscles strength). The objective of this study is to evaluate mechanical ventilation (MV) parameters, ventilatory mechanics [rapid shallow breathing index (RSBI), ventilatory muscles force [the maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), the maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) and the load/force balance (LFB)] and blood gases before and after extubation in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Methods: Prospective (March 2004 to March 2006) observational cross sectional study, enrolling children submitted to cardiac surgery admitted to an university PICU hospital and considered able to be extubated.