Impact of long COVID on the heart rate variability at rest and during deep breathing maneuver.

While the majority of individuals with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) recover completely, a significant percentage experience persistent symptom, which has been characterized as Long COVID and may be associated with cardiac and autonomic dysfunction. We evaluated heart rate variability (HRV) at rest and during deep-breathing (M-RSA) in patients with Long COVID. Case-control design involved 21 patients with Long COVID and 20 controls; the HRV was evaluated (POLAR system) at rest in the supine position and during M-RSA and expressed in time domain and non-linear analysis. In the supine position we found a reduction HRV measures in Long COVID' patients compared to controls for: Mean_iRR (p < 0.001), STD_iRR (p < 0.001); STD_HR (p < 0.001); SD1 (p < 0.001); SD2 (p < 0.001); alpha2 (p < 0.001). In the M-RSA we found reduction Mean_iRR (p < 0.001), STD_iRR (p < 0.001), STD_HR (p < 0.001), rMSSD (p < 0.001), RR_tri-index (p < 0.001) in Long COVID' patients except for highest Mean_HR p < 0.001. In conclusion, Long COVID reduced HRV at rest and during deep breathing. These findings may imply impairment of cardiac autonomic control when symptoms of COVID-19 persist following initial recovery.

Publisher Correction: The Value of Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing in Determining Severity in Patients with both Systolic Heart Failure and COPD.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

The Value of Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing in Determining Severity in Patients with both Systolic Heart Failure and COPD.

Our aim was to identify optimal cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) threshold values that distinguish disease severity progression in patients with co-existing systolic heart failure (HF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and to evaluate the impact of the cut-off determined on the prognosis of hospitalizations. We evaluated 40 patients (30 men and 10 woman) with HF and COPD through pulmonary function testing, doppler echocardiography and maximal incremental CPET on a cycle ergometer. Several significant CPET threshold values were identified in detecting a forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) < 1.6 L: 1) oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES) < 1.3; and 2) circulatory power (CP) < 2383 mmHg.mlO2.kg-1. CPET significant threshold values in identifying a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 39% were: 1) OUES: < 1.3; 2) CP < 2116 mmHg.mlO2.kg-1.min-1 and minute ventilation/carbon dioxide production (V̇E/V̇CO2) slope>38. The 15 (38%) patients hospitalized during follow-up (8 ± 2 months). In the hospitalizations analysis, LVEF < 39% and FEV1 < 1.6, OUES < 1.3, CP < 2116 mmHg.mlO2.kg-1.min-1 and V̇E/V̇CO2 > 38 were a strong risk predictor for hospitalization (P ≤ 0.050). The CPET response effectively identified worsening disease severity in patients with a HF-COPD phenotype. LVEF, FEV1, CP, OUES, and the V̇E/V̇CO2 slope may be particularly useful in the clinical assessment and strong risk predictor for hospitalization.

The effects of repeated binge drinking on arterial stiffness and urinary norepinephrine levels in young adults.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of repeated binge drinking and moderate alcohol consumption in young adults on arterial stiffness and sympathetic activity. METHODS: We enrolled 49 healthy young adults, free of cardiovascular diseases (25 men; age: 23.5 ±â€Š0.4 years; BMI: 23.4 ±â€Š0.4 kg/m; mean ±â€ŠS.E). Individuals included were those with a history of repeated binge drinking (>2 years duration; n = 20), drank at moderate levels (MODs, >5 years duration; n = 16) and abstained from alcohol (last 2-3 years; n = 13). Arterial stiffness was assessed using carotid to femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and sympathetic activity was assessed using 24-h urinary norepinephrine levels. Also measured was aortic SBP and augmentation index (AIx), a measure of wave reflection. RESULTS: Binge drinkers and MODs had higher cfPWV than alcohol abstainers (0.6 and 0.5 m/s, respectively; P ≤ 0.04). In addition, binge drinkers had higher urinary norepinephrine levels than MODs and alcohol abstainers (P < 0.05). Higher cfPWV were correlated with higher norepinephrine levels (r = 0.35. P = 0.02). Aortic SBP (P = 0.2) and AIx (P = 0.96) were similar among binge drinkers, MODs and alcohol abstainers. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that repeated exposure to alcohol, regardless of drinking pattern, may increase aortic arterial stiffness in healthy young adults. In addition, sympathetic activation, reflected by increased 24-h urinary norepinephrine levels, may contribute to alcohol-induced arterial stiffening in young adults.

Intervenções fisioterapêuticas e sua efetividade na reabilitação do paciente acometido por acidente vascular cerebra / Physiotherapeutic interventions and their efficacy in the post-stroke rehabilitation

Introdução: Pelo fato do período pós Acidente Vascular Cerebral requerer de uma série de cuidados especiais, os profissionais da saúde atuantes em sua reabilitação devem apresentar adequado tratamento ao paciente e para isto deve atualizar-se dos métodos existentes. Por apresentar maior número de sequelas sensório motoras, o fisioterapeuta é um dos profissionais indispensáveis para o devido tratamento. Objetivo: Apresentar uma revisão sistemática de literatura sobre os métodos fisioterapêuticos e a sua efetividade na reabilitação de sequelas após AVC. Métodos: Revisão sistemática de literatura na qual se utilizou para busca, as bases de dados Pubmed, Bireme, Scielo, Lilacs e Medline, no período de janeiro de 2008 a janeiro de 2018. Resultados: Foram encontrados 1.913 estudos com as palavras-chave selecionadas, e destes foram mantidos 15 estudos relevantes para o tratamento fisioterapêutico na reabilitação de sequelas após AVC. Conclusão: Evidenciou-se vasto campo de métodos fisioterapêuticos eficazes para a reabilitação após AVC, que irão auxiliar de forma objetiva e construtiva na abordagem do fisioterapeuta. (AU)

Introduction: Patient post-stroke period requires special care, health professionals working in their rehabilitation should provide appropriate and updated therapies. As it presents a greater number of sensorimotor sequences, the physiotherapist is one of the indispensable professionals for the due treatment. Objective: To present a systematic review of the literature on physiotherapeutic methods and their effectiveness in the rehabilitation of sequels after stroke. Methods: A systematic review of the literature in the databases Pubmed, Bireme, Scielo, Lilacs and Medline databases from January 2008 to January 2018. Results: We selected 1,913 studies and 15 of these studies were relevant for the physical therapy of stroke sequel and rehabilitation. Conclusion: A large and effective physiotherapeutic methods are efficient for stroke rehabilitation, which will help in the objective and constructive approach of the physiotherapist. (AU)

Precision Measurements to Assess Baseline Status and Efficacy of Healthy Living Medicine.

Precision medicine recently has gained popularity, calling for more individualized approaches to prevent and/or reduce chronic-disease risk and to reduce non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease (CVD). Encompassed under Precision medicine initiatives is the concept of healthy living medicine (HLM), which emphasizes the promotion of lifestyle and behavioral practices including physical activity and healthy dietary pattern. Precision measurements have the potential to improve the understanding of how risk factors influence disease trajectory, and further inform on how to precisely tailor clinical strategies to manage risk factors to prevent disease manifestation, and refine therapies according the patient's demographic, environment, and disease etiology. The purpose of this review is to summarize the application of established and emerging measurements that may be used in HLM to manage and optimize care in CVD prevention.

Is cardiac autonomic modulation during upper limb isometric contraction and Valsalva maneuver impaired in COPD patients?

PURPOSE: To evaluate the heart rate variability (HRV) indices and heart rate (HR) responses during isometric contraction (IC) and Valsalva maneuver (VM) in COPD patients. METHODS: Twenty-two stable moderate to severe COPD patients were evaluated. R-R intervals were recorded (monitor Polar® S810i) during dominant upper limb IC (2 minutes). Stable signals were analyzed by Kubios HRV® software. Indices of HRV were computed in the time domain (mean HR; square root of the mean squared differences of successive RR intervals [RMSSD] and HRV triangular index [RR tri index]) and in the frequency domain (high frequency [HF]; low frequency [LF] and LF/HF ratio). The HR responses were evaluated at rest, at the peak and at the nadir of the VM (15 seconds). The Valsalva index was also calculated. RESULTS: During IC: time domain indices (mean HR increased [P=0.001], RMSSD, and RR tri index decreased [P=0.005 and P=0.005, respectively]); frequency domain indices (LF increased [P=0.033] and HF decreased [P=0.002]); associations were found between forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) vs RMSSD (P=0.04; r=-0.55), FEV1 vs HR (P=0.04; r=-0.48), forced vital capacity (FVC) vs RMSSD (P=0.05; r=-0.62), maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) vs HF (P=0.02; r=0.68). FEV1 and FVC justified 30% of mean HR. During VM: HR increased (P=0.01); the nadir showed normal bradycardic response; the Valsalva index was =0.7. CONCLUSION: COPD patients responded properly to the upper limb IC and to the VM; however, HR recovery during VM was impaired in these patients. The severity of the disease and MIP were associated with increased parasympathetic modulation and higher chronotropic response.

Does peripheral arterial occlusive disease influence muscle strength and exercise capacity in COPD patients?

BACKGROUND: The pathophysiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is complex and understanding of it has been changing in recent years, with regard to its multisystemic manifestations, especially peripheral dysfunction and its influence on intolerance to exercise. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relationship between peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) and peripheral muscle strength and exercise capacity in COPD patients. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 35 patients with COPD who were evaluated with the Ankle-Brachial Index, handgrip strength test, 1 repetition maximum (1RM) of knee extensors and flexors, and distance covered in the incremental shuttle walking test (dISWT). RESULTS: COPD patients with coexisting PAOD had lower dominant handgrip strength test results (33.00 vs. 26.66 kgf, p = 0.02) and worse performance in the dISWT (297.32 vs. 219.41 m, p = 0.02) when compared to the COPD patients without PAOD. Strong correlations were found between the result of the handgrip strength test and both the dISWT (r = 0.78; p < 0.001) and the 1RM/knee extension (r = 0.71; p = 0.03); and also between the dISWT and both the 1RM/knee extension (r = 0.72; p = 0.02) and the 1RM/knee flexion (r = 0.92; p < 0.001). The linear regression model showed that the dISWT variable alone explains 15.3% of the Ankle-Brachial Index result (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: COPD patients with PAOD exhibit reduced muscle strength and lower exercise capacity than COPD patients without PAOD.

CONTEXTO: A doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC) apresenta uma complexa fisiopatologia e sua compreensão vem se modificando nos últimos anos, com atenção para as manifestações multissistêmicas, em especial a disfunção periférica e sua influência na intolerância ao exercício físico. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o impacto da doença arterial periférica obstrutiva (DAOP) na força muscular periférica e na capacidade de exercício dos portadores de DPOC. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal realizado com 35 portadores de DPOC, que foram avaliados pelo índice tornozelo-braquial, teste de força de preensão palmar (FPP), uma repetição máxima (1RM) de extensores e flexores de joelho, e a distância no incremental shuttle walking test (dISWT). RESULTADOS: Portadores de DPOC com DAP coexistente apresentaram menor FPP da mão dominante (33,00 versus 26,66 kgf, p = 0,02) e pior desempenho no dISWT (297,32 versus 219,41 m, p = 0,02) quando comparados aos portadores de DPOC sem DAP. Fortes correlações foram encontradas entre a medida da FPP e a dISWT (r = 0,78; p < 0,001) e a 1RM/extensão de joelho (r = 0,71; p = 0,03); entre a dISWT e a 1RM/extensão de joelho (r = 0,72; p = 0,02) e a 1RM/flexão de joelho (r = 0,92; p < 0,001). O modelo de regressão linear identificou que a variável dISWT explica isoladamente 15,3% do resultado do índice tornozelo braquial (p = 0,01). CONCLUSÃO: Portadores de DPOC com DAOP coexistente apresentam maior perda da força muscular periférica e pior desempenho da capacidade de exercício quando comparados aos portadores de DPOC sem DAOP.

DNA damage and repair capacity in lymphocyte of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases patients during physical exercise with oxygen supplementation.

BACKGROUND: We hypothesized that the use of oxygen supplementation during aerobic exercise induces less DNA damage than exercise alone. The aim of this study is to assess the level of DNA damage induced by physical exercise with and without oxygen supplementation in chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) patients. METHODS: Peripheral blood was collected before and after aerobic exercise in two conditions: (I) aerobic exercise without oxygen supplementation (AE group) and (II) with oxygen supplementation (AE-O2 group). Lymphocytes were collected to perform the alkaline version of the Comet Assay. To assess the susceptibility to exogenous DNA damage, the lymphocytes were treated with methyl methanesulphonate (MMS) for 1-h or 3-h. After 3-h treatment, the percentage of residual damage was calculated assuming the value of 1-h MMS treatment as 100%. RESULTS: AE group showed lower induced damage (1 h of MMS treatment) and consequently less DNA repair compared to AE-O2 group. AE-O2 group showed an increase in the induced DNA damage (1 h of MMS treatment) and an increased DNA repair capacity. Within the AE-O2 group, in the post-exercise situation the induced DNA damage after 1 h of MMS treatment was higher (p = 0.01) than in the pre-exercise. CONCLUSION: COPD patients who performed physical exercise associated with oxygen supplementation had a better response to DNA damage induced by MMS and a better DNA repair when compared to the condition of physical exercise without oxygen supplementation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UNISC N374.298. Registered 04 JUN 2013 (retrospectively registered).

Respiratory muscle strength effect on linear and nonlinear heart rate variability parameters in COPD patients.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is recognized as a multisystemic inflammatory disease associated with extrapulmonary comorbidities, including respiratory muscle weakness and cardiovascular and cardiac autonomic regulation disorders. We investigated whether alterations in respiratory muscle strength (RMS) would affect cardiac autonomic modulation in COPD patients. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional study done in ten COPD patients affected by moderate to very severe disease. The heart rate variability (HRV) signal was recorded using a Polar cardiofrequencimeter at rest in the sitting position (10 minutes) and during a respiratory sinus arrhythmia maneuver (RSA-M; 4 minutes). Linear analysis in the time and frequency domains and nonlinear analysis were performed on the recorded signals. RMS was assessed using a digital manometer, which provided the maximum inspiratory pressure (PImax) and the maximum expiratory pressure (PEmax). RESULTS: During the RSA-M, patients presented an HRV power increase in the low-frequency band (LFnu) (46.9±23.7 vs 75.8±27.2; P=0.01) and a decrease in the high-frequency band (HFnu) (52.8±23.5 vs 24.0±27.0; P=0.01) when compared to the resting condition. Significant associations were found between RMS and HRV spectral indices: PImax and LFnu (r=-0.74; P=0.01); PImax and HFnu (r=0.74; P=0.01); PEmax and LFnu (r=-0.66; P=0.01); PEmax and HFnu (r=0.66; P=0.03); between PEmax and sample entropy (r=0.83; P<0.01) and between PEmax and approximate entropy (r=0.74; P=0.01). Using a linear regression model, we found that PImax explained 44% of LFnu behavior during the RSA-M. CONCLUSION: COPD patients with impaired RMS presented altered cardiac autonomic control, characterized by marked sympathetic modulation and a reduced parasympathetic response; reduced HRV complexity was observed during the RSA-M.

DNA damage and cellular abnormalities in tuberculosis, lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB), Lung Cancer (LC) and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD) affect millions of individuals worldwide. Monitoring of DNA damage in pathological situations has been investigated because it can add a new dimension to clinical expression and may represent a potential target for therapeutic intervention. The aim of this study was to evaluate DNA damage and the frequency of cellular abnormalities in TB, LC and COPD patients by comparing them to healthy subjects. METHODS: The detection of DNA damage by a buccal micronucleus cytome assay was investigated in patients with COPD (n = 28), LC (n = 18) and TB (n = 22) and compared to control individuals (n = 17). RESULTS: The COPD group had a higher frequency of apoptotic cells compared to TB and LC group. The TB group showed a higher frequency of DNA damage, defect in cytokinesis, apoptotic and necrotic cells. Patients with LC had low frequency of chromosomal aberrations than TB and COPD patients. CONCLUSION: COPD patients showed cellular abnormalities that corresponded to cell death by apoptosis and necrosis, while patients with TB presented defects in cytokinesis and dysfunctions in DNA repair that resulted in the formation of micronucleus (MN) besides apoptotic and necrotic cells. Patients with COPD, TB and LC had a low frequency of permanent DNA damage.

Evaluation of DNA damage in COPD patients and its correlation with polymorphisms in repair genes.

BACKGROUND: We investigated a potential link between genetic polymorphisms in genes XRCC1 (Arg399Gln), OGG1 (Ser326Cys), XRCC3 (Thr241Met), and XRCC4 (Ile401Thr) with the level of DNA damage and repair, accessed by comet and micronucleus test, in 51 COPD patients and 51 controls. METHODS: Peripheral blood was used to perform the alkaline and neutral comet assay; and genetic polymorphisms by PCR/RFLP. To assess the susceptibility to exogenous DNA damage, the cells were treated with methyl methanesulphonate for 1-h or 3-h. After 3-h treatment the % residual damage was calculated assuming the value of 1-h treatment as 100%. The cytogenetic damage was evaluated by buccal micronucleus cytome assay (BMCyt). RESULTS: COPD patients with the risk allele XRCC1 (Arg399Gln) and XRCC3 (Thr241Met) showed higher DNA damage by comet assay. The residual damage was higher for COPD with risk allele in the four genes. In COPD patients was showed negative correlation between BMCyt (binucleated, nuclear bud, condensed chromatin and karyorrhexic cells) with pulmonary function and some variant genotypes. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest a possible association between variant genotypes in XRCC1 (Arg399Gln), OGG1 (Ser326Cys), XRCC3 (Thr241Met), and XRCC4 (Ile401Thr), DNA damage and progression of COPD.