Avaliação de perda de massa muscular do reto femoral através da ultrassonografia em pacientes pós-cirurgia cardíaca

Abstract

Introduction: Sarcopenia is a factor that involves worse prognoses and can increase intra- and post-hospital mortality. The elderly are less likely to recover from disuse-induced muscle atrophy, however it is not clear what period of disuse is necessary to observe these mechanisms in action. Objective: To analyze muscle loss in the rectus femoris muscle that occurs during periods of inactivity due to disuse during a short five-day hospitalization. Methods: 17 patients were evaluated, who underwent heart surgery and were hospitalized for a minimum of three days in the adult Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and at least for a period of five days of hospital stay. These patients were monitored during hospitalization, through analysis of the rectus femoris using portable ultrasound and thigh circumference. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures. Results: The results obtained show that within the first 5 days of immobilization, a reduction in the thickness of the rectus femoris and the circumference of the thigh is identified. No relationship was observed with age (over or under 60 years old) or nutritional status (BMI below or above 25). Conclusion: The results of the study show the importance of early physiotherapeutic intervention since there is a statistically significant relationship between the length of stay and the loss of muscle mass observed.