ABSTRACT
Aim: The aim of this study was to estimate the effects of a pulmonary rehabilitation programme (PR) on the functional capacity and respiratory muscle strength of patients with post-COVID syndrome. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using hospital data on patients who participated in a pulmonary rehabilitation programme at the Clinic for Lung Diseases, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Croatia, between January 2021 and December 2022. Data on the spirometry, respiratory muscle strength, and functional exercise capacity of patients were collected at baseline and three weeks after the start of rehabilitation. The study included 80 patients (43 females, 37 males) with a mean age of 51±10 years. Results: A significant increase in respiratory muscle strength (P<0.001) was observed after pulmonary rehabilitation, with effect sizes ranging from small to large (Cohen's d from 0.39 to 1.07), whereas the effect for PImax expressed as a percentage was large (Cohen's d=0.99). In addition, the pulmonary rehabilitation programme significantly improved the parameters of the six-minute walk test in patients, and the parameters of lung function, FVC, FEV1, and DLCO also improved significantly after PR (P<0.05). Conclusion: The results showed that the pulmonary rehabilitation programme has clinically significant effects on functional capacity and respiratory muscle strength in patients with post-COVID syndrome.
ABSTRACT
Clinical presentation, course, and treatment for patients with isolated right ventricular (RV) hypoplasia (IRVH) depends on the degree of hypoplasia that is present-this is a spectrum from spontaneous maturation to Fontan circulation over time. An 8-month-old infant presented with IRVH; in the patient, a modified Blalock-Taussig (MBTS) shunt was closed percutaneously after spontaneous RV function recovery. A female newborn was diagnosed with differential cyanosis at birth. The echocardiography showed a hypertrophic RV with a small cavity, a right-left shunt on the atrial septal defect, an almost closed ductus arteriosus (DA), and a small tricuspid valve ring (Z-score-2) with mild regurgitation (pressure gradient 30 mmHg). On the 4th day of life, the patient showed deepened cyanosis and hyperlactatemia was registered. The echocardiography examination revealed a closed DA. Right ventriculography performed on the 5th day of life evidenced the presence of a small hypertrabeculated RV. The pressure in the RV increased. A right-side MBTS was created on the 6th day of life. Further echocardiographic findings indicated a gradual development of the RV and a decrease in RV pressure. MBTS occlusion was performed when the patient was 8 months old. Vital parameters were monitored invasively and noninvasively after the balloon occlusion of MBTS. Percutaneous MBTS occlusion was successfully performed using an Amplatzer vascular plug 2 (AVP2). During the follow-up period, the patient was found to have maintained a normal percutaneous oxyhaemoglobin blood saturation.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Coronavirus-2 pandemic has changed the functioning of health systems worldwide. It is not yet fully known which symptoms of the disease are most commonly presented in patients referred for pulmonary rehabilitation. Our aim was to investigate the profile of patients referred for pulmonary rehabilitation; what symptoms they had during the acute phase of the disease and what symptoms were still present at the start of pulmonary rehabilitation. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Study included ongoing symptomatic and post-COVID patients who attended standard, in person pulmonary rehabilitation program. Patients had COVID-19 disease at least four weeks before attending pulmonary rehabilitation. Patients completed questionnaires of self-reported somatic deficits during acute and post-COVID-19 stage as well as questionnaires regarding their psychological symptoms. Pulmonary function test, expiratory and inspiratory muscle strenght, hand grip strenght and six-minute walk test was performed prior and after pulmonary rehabilitation. RESULTS: Study included 63 patients (32 male, 31 female), with mean age of 52.9 years. During acute COVID-19, majority of patients complained of fatigue, cough, dyspnea, myalgia and headache. More than 85% of patients reported pulmonary deficits during ongoing symptomatic and post-COVID-19 stage. Emotional distress and anxiety levels were significantly elevated in acute stage, while depression, anger and the need for help was not significantly elevated. All reported symptoms were significantly reduced in post-COVID-19 stage. There was statistically significant difference in six-minute walk distance, inspiratory and expiratory muscle strenght and hand grip strenght between first and final testing. CONCLUSIONS: Results of our study are similar with previous studies, the most common symptoms during acute phase were fatigue, cough and dyspnea and fatigue and respiratory problems during ongoing symptomatic and post-COVID stage. Emotional distress diminishes signifiacantly in post-COVID stage. Further larger studies are needed to clarify which acute disease symptoms are predominant in patients referred to pulmonary rehabilitation and cause prolongued discomfort.
