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Background/Objectives: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic was associated with an intense impact on health worldwide. Among the sequelae, it became necessary to clarify respiratory impairment related to lung function and aerobic capacity, as well as the treatment of curative and preventive measures of pulmonary involvement. In this context, this study aimed to compare vital signs, the sensation of dyspnea (Borg scale), lung function, and exercise tolerance before and after the use of non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) in adults of both sexes after acute infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Methods: A cross-sectional analytical clinical study was performed with the inclusion of individuals who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 at least three months before data collection. Individuals were evaluated for vital signs (heart rate and peripheral oxygen saturation), Borg scale, spirometry, and submaximal exercise protocol of two minutes of the step test before and after receiving NIV in ventilation mode by continuous positive airway pressure of 6 cm H2O for 30 min. Results: A total of 50 participants were enrolled and grouped as a mild (N = 25) or severe (N = 25) clinical phenotype during SARS-CoV-2 infection according to the criteria of the World Health Organization. In our data, the forced vital capacity (p < 0.001), the ratio between the forced expiratory volume in the first one second to the forced vital capacity and the forced vital capacity (p = 0.020), and the two-minute submaximal step exercise protocol (number of steps—p = 0.001) showed a statistical improvement in the severe clinical phenotype group after NIV. In addition, forced expiratory volume in the first one second to the forced vital capacity (p = 0.032) and the two-minute submaximal step exercise protocol (number of steps—p < 0.001) showed a statistical improvement in the mild clinical phenotype group after NIV. No changes were described for vital signs and the Borg scale. Conclusions: This study allowed us to identify that NIV is a tool that promotes better exercise capacity by increasing the number of steps achieved in both clinical phenotype groups and improving lung function observed in the spirometry markers.

Background Among the many consequences of loss of CFTR protein function, a significant reduction of the secretion of bicarbonate (HCO 3 − ) in cystic fibrosis (CF) is a major pathogenic feature. Loss of HCO 3 − leads to abnormally low pH and impaired mucus clearance in airways and other exocrine organs, which suggests that NaHCO 3 inhalation may be a low-cost, easily accessible therapy for CF. Objective To evaluate the safety, tolerability, and effects of inhaled aerosols of NaHCO 3 solutions (4.2% and 8.4%). Methods An experimental, prospective, open-label, pilot, clinical study was conducted with 12 CF volunteer participants over 18 years of age with bronchiectasis and pulmonary functions classified as mildly to severely depressed. Sputum rheology, pH, and microbiology were examined as well as spirometry, exercise performance, quality-of-life assessments, dyspnea, blood count, and venous blood gas levels. Results Sputum pH increased immediately after inhalation of NaHCO 3 at each clinical visit and was inversely correlated with rheology when all parameters were evaluated: [ G ′ (elasticity of the mucus) = − 0.241; G ″ (viscosity of the mucus) = − 0.287; G * (viscoelasticity of the mucus) = − 0.275]. G * and G′ were slightly correlated with peak flow, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV 1 ), and quality of life; G ″ was correlated with quality of life; sputum pH was correlated with oxygen consumption ( VO 2 ) and vitality score in quality of life. No changes were observed in blood count, venous blood gas, respiratory rate, heart rate, peripheral oxygen saturation of hemoglobin (SpO 2 ), body temperature, or incidence of dyspnea. No adverse events associated with the study were observed. Conclusion Nebulized NaHCO 3 inhalation appears to be a safe and well tolerated potential therapeutic agent in the management of CF. Nebulized NaHCO 3 inhalation temporarily elevates airway liquid pH and reduces sputum viscosity and viscoelasticity.

Background Exercise has been studied as a prognostic marker for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), as well as a tool for improving their quality of life and analyzing lung disease. In this context, the aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare variables of lung functioning. Our data included: (i) volumetric capnography (VCAP) parameters: expiratory minute volume (VE), volume of exhaled carbon dioxide (VCO 2 ), VE/VCO 2 , ratio of dead space to tidal volume (VD/VT), and end-tidal carbon dioxide (PetCO 2 ); (ii) spirometry parameters: forced vital capacity (FVC), percent forced expiratory volume in the first second of the FVC (FEV 1 %), and FEV 1 /FVC%; and (iii) cardiorespiratory parameters: heart rate (HR), respiratory rate, oxygen saturation (SpO 2 ), and Borg scale rating at rest and during exercise. The subjects comprised children, adolescents, and young adults aged 6–25 years with CF (CF group [CFG]) and without CF (control group [CG]). Methods This was a clinical, prospective, controlled study involving 128 male and female patients (64 with CF) of a university hospital. All patients underwent treadmill exercise tests and provided informed consent after study approval by the institutional ethics committee. Linear regression, Kruskal–Wallis test, and Mann–Whitney test were performed to compare the CFG and CG. The α value was set at 0.05. Results Patients in the CFG showed significantly different VCAP values and spirometry variables throughout the exercise test. Before, during, and after exercise, several variables were different between the two groups; statistically significant differences were seen in the spirometry parameters, SpO 2 , HR, VCO 2 , VE/VCO 2 , PetCO 2 , and Borg scale rating. VCAP variables changed at each time point analyzed during the exercise test in both groups. Conclusion VCAP can be used to analyze ventilatory parameters during exercise. All cardiorespiratory, spirometry, and VCAP variables differed between patients in the CFG and CG before, during, and after exercise.

Introdução: O retorno involuntário e frequente do conteúdo gástrico na doença do refluxo gastro-esofágico (DRGE) pode desencadear alterações respiratórias. O método fisioterapêutico de Reequilíbrio Tóraco-Abdominal (RTA) tem como característica minimizar alterações na mecânica respiratória, melhorando a ventilação e o consequente esforço respiratório. Objetivo: Avaliar efeitos imediatos dos manuseios do RTA em parâmetros cardiorrespiratórios, sinais de desconforto respiratório (Boletim de Silvermann-Anderson), dor (escala de Lawrence), comportamento (escala de Prechtl e Beinteman) e sintomas (questionário) em crianças. Métodos: Foram avaliadas dez crianças, com média de idade de 15,01+18,20 meses, sendo os parâmetros de avaliação supracitados verificados antes, imediatamente após e 15 minutos depois da aplicação do RTA. Resultados: A técnica apresentou efeitos positivos no sistema cardiorrespiratório, evidenciado pelo aumento da SpO2, e diminuição da fr, na maioria das crianças com DRGE. Conclusão: A aplicação do Reequilíbrio Tóraco-Abdominal apresentou benefícios nas crianças com DRGE, sem repercutir no comportamento ou provocar intercorrências.