Trends of loss of peripheral muscle thickness on ultrasonography among ICU patients / 中国实用护理杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To describe the trends of loss of muscle fiber thickness of the arm and calf.Methods:From April 2019 to July 2019, 58 patients admitted to ICU of Qinghai Provincial People's Hospital were enrolled. During ICU stay, the muscle fiber thickness in bilateral upper arm (biceps brachii) and bilateral calf (gastrocephus muscle) were measured by bedside color ultrasound every day.Results:The muscle fiber thickness of biceps and gastrocnemius on the left and right were (1.52 ± 0.37), (1.50 ± 0.34), (1.53±0.39), (1.51 ± 0.37) mm, respectively. The thickness of muscle fibers were (1.45 ± 0.35), (1.46 ± 0.37), (1.44±0.33), (1.41 ± 0.32) mm, which were significantly decreased in 48 h admitted to ICU ( t values were 2.106-4.711, P<0.05 or 0.01); and (1.43 ± 0.36), (1.44 ± 0.36), (1.44±0.32), (1.39 ± 0.32) mm in 72 h, which were significantly decreased than 24 h admitted to ICU ( t values were2.029-4.504, P<0.05 or 0.01). During 1 week admission to ICU , the muscle fiber thickness showed a continuous trend of decline, and the muscle fiber thickness of the left biceps, right biceps, left gastrocnemius and right gastrocnemius decreased by 8.38% (0.13/1.55), 10.19% (0.16/1.57), 9.87% (0.15/1.52), 11.11% (0.17/1.53), respectively compared with the ICU admission. The muscle fiber thickness of the left biceps, right biceps, left gastrocnemius and right gastrocnemius decreased by 9.87% (0.15/1.52), 9.33% (0.14/1.50), 9.15% (0.14/1.53), 11.26% (0.17/1.51), respectively. Conclusion:Muscle attenuation can be observed within 48h after ICU entry, and it tends to decrease with the extension of the length of hospital stay.