The patient who participated in exercise testing is deeply appreciated. This research was supported by National Science Council, Taiwan (NMRPG3G6231/2/3), Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (Grant No. CMRPG3G0601/2), and Healthy Aging Research Center, Chang Gung University and the Taiwan Ministry of Education&#39;s Higher Education Deep Plowing Program (Grant Numbers EMRPD1H0351 and EMRPD1H0551).

The following protocol was approved by the ethics committee in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan. The exercise test was carried out in an air-conditioned laboratory with an atmospheric temperature of 22-25 &#176;C, pressure of 755 to 770 Torr, and relative humidity of 55-65%. Before each test, the gas analyzer was calibrated following the manufacturer&#39;s instructions using room air and a gas mixture of known concentration (FO2: 0.12; FCO2: 0.05; N2 as balance). The turbine flow meter of the system was calibrated by the 2-point method with 0.2 L/s and 2 L/s by an automatically-pumping system.
1. Preparation: Placement of sensors and recorders
<ol>
	<li>Clean the forehead twice with an alcohol pad to remove sweat and dirt from the skin.</li>
	<li>Place NIRS sensors on the forehead bilaterally. Use a large sensor in which the distance between emitter and detector is 5 cm. The estimated measuring depth is 2.5 cm. Ensure that the sensors are securely attached.</li>
	<li>Attach patches of electrocardiography to the anterior chest, bilateral acromioclavicular joints, and lower back.</li>
	<li>Have the patient sit on the bicycle ergometer.</li>
	<li>Place the armband of the sphygmomanometer.</li>
	<li>Instruct the patient to wear the mask for the gas analysis. Make sure that no gas leaks through the brim of the mask.</li>
	<li>Place the sensors of the pulse oximeter on the patient&#39;s ear lobe and index finger.</li>
</ol>
2. CPET and SctO2 monitoring
<ol>
	<li>Tell the patient to rest for at least 2 min to obtain a stable baseline value, including SctO2 and respiratory exchange ratio.</li>
	<li>Have the patient complete the warm-up stage at a work rate of 10 W for 1 min on the cycle ergometer.</li>
	<li>Increase the rate by 10 W/min and ask the patient to pedal at around 60 rpm until failing to keep up with a cadence &#62;50 rpm despite strong encouragement (symptom-limited exercise testing).</li>
	<li>Average the SctO2 value every second automatically from data scanned at the frequency of 100 Hz.</li>
	<li>Measure the blood pressure every 2 min automatically by the sphygmomanometer.</li>
	<li>Analyze the gas component breath by breath, including VO2 and end-tidal carbon dioxide pressure (PETCO2).</li>
	<li>Have the patient complete the recovery stage at a work rate of 0 W for 2-6 min.</li>
</ol>

<ol>
	<li>Balady, G. J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Clinician's+Guide+to+cardiopulmonary+exercise+testing+in+adults:+a+scientific+statement+from+the+American+Heart+Association.">Clinician's Guide to cardiopulmonary exercise testing in adults: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association.</a> Circulation. 122 (2), 191-225 (2010).</li><li>Corra, U., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cardiopulmonary+exercise+testing+in+systolic+heart+failure+in+2014:+the+evolving+prognostic+role:+a+position+paper+from+the+committee+on+exercise+physiology+and+training+of+the+heart+failure+association+of+the+ESC.">Cardiopulmonary exercise testing in systolic heart failure in 2014: the evolving prognostic role: a position paper from the committee on exercise physiology and training of the heart failure association of the ESC.</a> European Journal of Heart Failure. 16 (9), 929-941 (2014).</li><li>Malhotra, R., Bakken, K., D'Elia, E., Lewis, G. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cardiopulmonary+Exercise+Testing+in+Heart+Failure.">Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing in Heart Failure.</a> JACC Heart Fail. 4 (8), 607-616 (2016).</li><li>Chen, Y. J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cerebral+desaturation+in+heart+failure:+Potential+prognostic+value+and+physiologic+basis.">Cerebral desaturation in heart failure: Potential prognostic value and physiologic basis.</a> PloS One. 13 (4), e0196299 (2018).</li><li>Koike, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Clinical+significance+of+cerebral+oxygenation+during+exercise+in+patients+with+coronary+artery+disease.">Clinical significance of cerebral oxygenation during exercise in patients with coronary artery disease.</a> Circulation Journal. 72 (11), 1852-1858 (2008).</li><li>Madsen, P. L., Secher, N. 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The authors have nothing to disclose.

Cerebral oxygenation monitored noninvasively and continuously by NIRS has been applied in various scenarios, including cardiovascular surgery13 and brain functional analyses such as those that estimate neural activity14. This protocol integrated NIRS into conventional CPET to identify the involvement of the cerebral hemodynamic response in exercise intolerance in patients with HF. It increases the value of exercise testing in determining prognosis and disease severity.
...

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) has been applied in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HF) for multiple aims, including the quantification of cardiopulmonary fitness, prognosis, diagnosing causes of exercise limitations, and exercise prescriptions1,2,3. During testing, hemodynamic variables and data derived from automatic gas exchange are monitored and analyzed. Cerebral tissue oxygen saturation (SctO2) monitoring has value for grading prognosis and disease severity4,5.
Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) uses infrared light to penetrate the skull and estimate brain tissue oxygenation continuously and non-invasively6. Since oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin have different light absorption spectra and are the primary chromophores that absorb light, their concentrations can be measured using light transmission and absorption6,7. However, background light absorbers also scatter light and may influence the measurement8. This study adopted a spatially resolved NIRS to measure SctO2 from rest to peak exercise9. Four wavelengths were emitted to compensate for wavelength-dependent scattering losses and eliminate background interference, thus enhancing accuracy10.
SctO2 represents the proportion of oxygen delivery vs. consumption in cerebral tissue. Cerebral desaturation is associated with disrupted cerebral blood flow (CBF), decreased arterial oxygen concentration, and increased cerebral tissue oxygen consumption11. Other than cardiac output insufficiency, advanced HF causes cerebral hypoperfusion during exercise by indirectly inducing cerebral vasoconstriction via diminishing arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) through hyperventilation12.
The clinical significance of cerebral oxygenation in HF was revealed by Chen et al.4. First, SctO2 was significantly decreased in the HF group compared with healthy controls. SctO2 is not only diminished at rest but also declined further during exercise. It is not observed in the healthy group. Second, SctO2rest and SctO2peak were correlated with VO2peak, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES), all of which are established prognostic markers. Therefore, SctO2rest and SctO2peak are very likely to be prognostic and reflect disease severity in HF patients. Another study by Koike et al. suggested that the change in cerebral oxyhemoglobin measured at the forehead from rest to peak exercise was significantly lower in non-survivors compared to that in survivors of patients with coronary artery disease5. Hence, cerebral oxygenation may be employed to stratify the disease severity and prognosis of patients with HF.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Bicycle ergometer</td>
			<td>Ergoline, Germany</td>
			<td>Ergoselect 150P</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cardiopulmonary exercise testing gas analysis</td>
			<td>Cardinal-health Germany</td>
			<td>MasterScreen CPX</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Finger pulse oximetry</td>
			<td>Nonin Onyx, Plymouth, Minnesota</td>
			<td>Model 9500</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sphygmomanometer</td>
			<td>SunTech Medical, UK</td>
			<td>Tango</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

integration of brain tissue saturation monitoring in cardiopulmonary exercise testing in patients with heart failure

Cerebral hypo-oxygenation during rest or exercise negatively impacts the exercise capacity of patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HF). However, in clinical cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), cerebral hemodynamics is not assessed. NIRS is used to measure cerebral tissue oxygen saturation (SctO2) in the frontal lobe. This method is reliable and valid and has been utilized in several studies. SctO2 is lower during both rest and peak exercise in patients with HF than in healthy controls (66.3 &#177; 13.3% and 63.4 &#177; 13.8% vs. 73.1 &#177; 2.8% and 72 &#177; 3.2%). SctO2 at rest is significantly linearly correlated with peak VO2 (r = 0.602), oxygen uptake efficiency slope (r = 0.501), and brain natriuretic peptide (r = -0.492), all of which are recognized prognostic and disease severity markers, indicating its potential prognostic value. SctO2 is determined mainly by end-tidal CO2 pressure, mean arterial pressure, and hemoglobin in the HF population. This article demonstrates a protocol that integrates SctO2 using NIRS into incremental CPET on a calibrated bicycle ergometer.

Thirty-four HF patients and 17 healthy controls were enrolled at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan. Each subject underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing that incorporated SctO2 monitoring by NIRS. Briefly, SctO2 (rest; peak) values were significantly lower in the HF group (66.3 &#177; 13.3%; 63.4 &#177; 13.8%,) than in the control (73.1 &#177; 2.8%; 72 &#177; 3.2%) group (Figure 1). In the HF group, SctO2 at rest ...

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Integration of Brain Tissue Saturation Monitoring in Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing in Patients with Heart Failure

This protocol integrated near-infrared spectroscopy into conventional cardiopulmonary exercise testing to identify the involvement of the cerebral hemodynamic response in exercise intolerance in patients with heart failure.

Cerebral hypo-oxygenation during rest or exercise negatively impacts the exercise capacity of patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction ...

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5.7K Views.  Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou. This protocol integrated near-infrared spectroscopy into conventional cardiopulmonary exercise testing to identify the involvement of the cerebral hemodynamic response in exercise intolerance in patients with heart failure.

Video: Integration of Brain Tissue Saturation Monitoring in Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing in Patients with Heart Failure

Gene Transfer for Ischemic Heart Failure in a Preclinical Model

Various emerging technologies are being developed for patients with heart failure. Well-established preclinical evaluations are necessary to determine their efficacy and safety.
Gene therapy using viral vectors is one of the most promising approaches for treating cardiac diseases. Viral delivery of various different genes by changing the carrier gene has immeasurable therapeutic potential.
In this video, the full process of an animal model of heart failure creation followed by gene transfer is presented using a swine model. First, myocardial infarction is created by occluding the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery. Heart remodeling results in chronic heart failure. Unique to our model is a fairly large scar which truly reflects patients with severe heart failure who require aggressive therapy for positive outcomes. After myocardial infarct creation and development of scar tissue, an intracoronary injection of virus is demonstrated with simultaneous nitroglycerine infusion. Our injection method provides simple and efficient gene transfer with enhanced gene expression. This combination of a myocardial infarct swine model with intracoronary virus delivery has proven to be a consistent and reproducible methodology, which helps not only to test the effect of individual gene, but also compare the efficacy of many genes as therapeutic candidates.

A method of gene transfer for the treatment of ischemic heart failure is described using a swine model of myocardial infarction. Our simple and reproducible method enables us to readily evaluate the efficacy of various gene transfers with a very simple and reproducible way.

Various emerging technologies are being developed for patients with heart failure. Well-established preclinical evaluations are necessary to determine ...

Driving Simulation in the Clinic: Testing Visual Exploratory Behavior in Daily Life Activities in Patients with Visual Field Defects

Patients suffering from homonymous hemianopia after infarction of the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) report different degrees of constraint in daily life, despite similar visual deficits. We assume this could be due to variable development of compensatory strategies such as altered visual scanning behavior. Scanning compensatory therapy (SCT) is studied as part of the visual training after infarction next to vision restoration therapy. SCT consists of learning to make larger eye movements into the blind field enlarging the visual field of search, which has been proven to be the most useful strategy1, not only in natural search tasks but also in mastering daily life activities2. Nevertheless, in clinical routine it is difficult to identify individual levels and training effects of compensatory behavior, since it requires measurement of eye movements in a head unrestrained condition. Studies demonstrated that unrestrained head movements alter the visual exploratory behavior compared to a head-restrained laboratory condition3. Martin et al.4 and Hayhoe et al.5 showed that behavior demonstrated in a laboratory setting cannot be assigned easily to a natural condition. Hence, our goal was to develop a study set-up which uncovers different compensatory oculomotor strategies quickly in a realistic testing situation: Patients are tested in the clinical environment in a driving simulator. SILAB software (Wuerzburg Institute for Traffic Sciences GmbH (WIVW)) was used to program driving scenarios of varying complexity and recording the driver's performance. The software was combined with a head mounted infrared video pupil tracker, recording head- and eye-movements (EyeSeeCam, University of Munich Hospital, Clinical Neurosciences).
The positioning of the patient in the driving simulator and the positioning, adjustment and calibration of the camera is demonstrated. Typical performances of a patient with and without compensatory strategy and a healthy control are illustrated in this pilot study. Different oculomotor behaviors (frequency and amplitude of eye- and head-movements) are evaluated very quickly during the drive itself by dynamic overlay pictures indicating where the subjects gaze is located on the screen, and by analyzing the data. Compensatory gaze behavior in a patient leads to a driving performance comparable to a healthy control, while the performance of a patient without compensatory behavior is significantly worse. The data of eye- and head-movement-behavior as well as driving performance are discussed with respect to different oculomotor strategies and in a broader context with respect to possible training effects throughout the testing session and implications on rehabilitation potential.

Patients with visual deficits after stroke report about different constraints in daily life most likely due to variable compensatory strategies, which are difficult to differentiate in clinical routine. We present a clinical set-up which allows measurement of different compensatory head- and eye-movement-strategies and evaluating their effects on driving performance.

Patients suffering from homonymous hemianopia after infarction of the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) report different degrees of constraint in daily ...

Computerized Dynamic Posturography for Postural Control Assessment in Patients with Intermittent Claudication

Computerized dynamic posturography with the EquiTest is an objective technique for measuring postural strategies under challenging static and dynamic conditions. As part of a diagnostic assessment, the early detection of postural deficits is important so that appropriate and targeted interventions can be prescribed. The Sensory Organization Test (SOT) on the EquiTest determines an individual&#39;s use of the sensory systems (somatosensory, visual, and vestibular) that are responsible for postural control. Somatosensory and visual input are altered by the calibrated sway-referenced support surface and visual surround, which move in the anterior-posterior direction in response to the individual&#39;s postural sway. This creates a conflicting sensory experience. The Motor Control Test (MCT) challenges postural control by creating unexpected postural disturbances in the form of backwards and forwards translations. The translations are graded in magnitude and the time to recover from the perturbation is computed.
Intermittent claudication, the most common symptom of peripheral arterial disease, is characterized by a cramping pain in the lower limbs and caused by muscle ischemia secondary to reduced blood flow to working muscles during physical exertion. Claudicants often display poor balance, making them susceptible to falls and activity avoidance. The Ankle Brachial Pressure Index (ABPI) is a noninvasive method for indicating the presence of peripheral arterial disease and intermittent claudication, a common symptom in the lower extremities. ABPI is measured as the highest systolic pressure from either the dorsalis pedis or posterior tibial artery divided by the highest brachial artery systolic pressure from either arm. This paper will focus on the use of computerized dynamic posturography in the assessment of balance in claudicants.

Individuals with intermittent claudication exhibit poor balance compared to healthy controls. Computerized dynamic posturography is an objective method for measuring an individual's postural responses to balance disturbances. This provides an objective reflection of the person&#x2019;s ability to respond to situations under which sensory stimuli are altered and unexpected perturbations occur.

Computerized dynamic posturography with the EquiTest is an objective technique for measuring postural strategies under challenging static and dynamic ...

Tachycardia-Induced Cardiomyopathy As a Chronic Heart Failure Model in Swine

A stable and reliable model of chronic heart failure is required for many experiments to understand hemodynamics or to test effects of new treatment methods. Here, we present such a model by tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy, which can be produced by rapid cardiac pacing in swine.
A single pacing lead is introduced transvenously into fully anaesthetized healthy swine, to the apex of the right ventricle, and fixated. Its other end is then tunneled dorsally to the paravertebral region. There, it is connected to an in-house modified heart pacemaker unit that is then implanted in a subcutaneous pocket. 
After 4 - 8 weeks of rapid ventricular pacing at rates of 200 - 240 beats/min, physical examination revealed signs of severe heart failure - tachypnea, spontaneous sinus tachycardia, and fatigue. Echocardiography and X-ray showed dilation of all heart chambers, effusions, and severe systolic dysfunction. These findings correspond well to decompensated dilated cardiomyopathy and are also preserved after the cessation of pacing.
This model of tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy can be used for studying the pathophysiology of progressive chronic heart failure, especially hemodynamic changes caused by new treatment modalities like mechanical circulatory supports. This methodology is easy to perform and the results are robust and reproducible.

Here, we present a protocol to produce tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy in swine. This model represents a potent way to study the hemodynamics of progressive chronic heart failure and the effects of applied treatment.

A stable and reliable model of chronic heart failure is required for many experiments to understand hemodynamics or to test effects of new treatment ...

A Surgical Model of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction in Tibetan Minipigs

More than half of heart failure (HF) cases are classified as heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) worldwide. Large animal models are limited for investigating the fundamental mechanisms of HFpEF and identifying potential therapeutic targets. This work provides a detailed description of the surgical procedure of descending aortic constriction (DAC) in Tibetan minipigs to establish a large animal model of HFpEF. This model used a precisely controlled constriction of the descending aorta to induce chronic pressure overload in the left ventricle. Echocardiography was used to evaluate the morphological and functional changes in the heart. After 12 weeks of DAC stress, the ventricular septum was hypertrophic, but the thickness of the posterior wall was significantly reduced, accompanied by dilation of the left ventricle. However, the LV ejection fraction of the model hearts was maintained at &gt;50% during the 12-week period. Furthermore, the DAC model displayed cardiac damage, including fibrosis, inflammation, and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Heart failure marker levels were significantly elevated in the DAC group. This DAC-induced HFpEF in minipigs is a powerful tool for investigating molecular mechanisms of this disease and for preclinical testing.

The present protocol describes a step-by-step procedure to establish a minipig model of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction using descending aortic constriction. The methods for evaluating cardiac morphology, histology, and function of this disease model are also presented.

More than half of heart failure (HF) cases are classified as heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) worldwide. Large animal models are ...

Predicting Prognosis in Acute Heart Failure Using Phase Angle & BIVA Z-Scores

Clinical Application of Phase Angle and BIVA Z-Score Analyses in Patients Admitted to an Emergency Department with Acute Heart Failure

Acute heart failure is characterized by neurohormonal activation, which leads to sodium and water retention and causes alterations in body composition, such as increased body fluid congestion or systemic congestion. This condition is one of the most common reasons for hospital admission and has been associated with poor outcomes. The phase angle indirectly measures intracellular status, cellular integrity, vitality, and the distribution of spaces between intracellular and extracellular body water. This parameter has been found to be a predictor of health status and an indicator of survival and other clinical outcomes. In addition, phase angle values of &lt;4.8&#176; upon admission were associated with higher mortality in patients with acute heart failure. However, low phase angle values may be due to alterations-such as the shifting of fluids from an intracellular body water (ICW) compartment to an ECW (extracellular body water) compartment and a concurrent decrease in body-cell mass (which can reflect malnutrition)-that are present in heart failure. Thus, a low phase angle may be due to overhydration and/or malnutrition. BIVA provides additional information about the body-cell mass and congestion status with a graphical vector (R-Xc graph). In addition, a BIVA Z-score analysis (the number of standard deviations from the mean value of the reference group) that has the same pattern as that of the ellipses for the percentiles on the original R-Xc graph can be used to detect changes in soft-tissue mass or tissue hydration and can help researchers compare changes in different study populations. This protocol explains how to obtain and interpret phase angle values and BIVA Z-score analyses, their clinical applicability, and their usefulness as a predictive marker for the prognosis of a 90-day event in patients admitted to an emergency department with acute heart failure.

Author Spotlight: Unveiling Prognostic Indicators in Heart Failure - The Role of Phase Angle and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis 

In this protocol, we explain how to obtain and interpret phase angle values and bioelectrical impedance vectorial analysis (BIVA) Z-score obtained by bioelectrical impedance in patients with acute heart failure admitted to the Emergency Department and their clinical applicability as a predictive marker for the prognosis of a 90-day event.

Acute heart failure is characterized by neurohormonal activation, which leads to sodium and water retention and causes alterations in body composition, ...

Developing an Exercise Program for Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Evaluation of Changes in Hydration and Body Cell Mass with Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis after Exercise Program for Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a debilitating disease that can result in complications such as rheumatoid cachexia. While physical exercise has shown benefits for RA patients, its impact on hydration and body cell mass remains uncertain. The presence of pain, inflammation, and joint changes often restrict activity and make traditional body composition assessments unreliable due to altered hydration levels. Bioelectrical impedance is a commonly used method for estimating body composition, but it has limitations since it was primarily developed for the general population and does not consider changes in body composition. On the other hand, bioelectrical impedance vectorial analysis (BIVA) offers a more comprehensive approach. BIVA involves graphically interpreting resistance (R) and reactance (Xc), adjusted for height, to provide valuable information about hydration status and the integrity of the cell mass.
Twelve women with RA were included in this study. At the beginning of the study, hydration and body cell mass measurements were obtained using the BIVA method. Subsequently, the patients participated in a six-month dynamic exercise program encompassing cardiovascular capacity, strength, and coordination training. To evaluate changes in hydration and body cell mass, the differences in the R and Xc parameters, adjusted for height, were compared using BIVA confidence software. The results showed notable changes: resistance decreased after the exercise program, while reactance increased. BIVA, as a classification method, can effectively categorize patients into dehydration, overhydration, normal, athlete, thin, cachectic, and obese categories. This makes it a valuable tool for assessing RA patients, as it provides information independent of body weight or prediction equations. Overall, the implementation of BIVA in this study shed light on the effects of the exercise program on hydration and body cell mass in RA patients. Its advantages lie in its ability to provide comprehensive information and overcome the limitations of traditional body composition assessment methods.

Author Spotlight: Implementation of BIVA for Analyzing Disease Risk Factors in Patients with Low Body Cell Mass 

This protocol assesses alterations in hydration and body cell mass status using bioelectrical impedance vectorial analysis following a dynamic exercise program designed for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The dynamic exercise program itself is detailed, highlighting its components focused on cardiovascular capacity, strength, and coordination. The protocol details steps, instruments, and limitations.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a debilitating disease that can result in complications such as rheumatoid cachexia. While physical exercise has shown ...

Evaluation of Hydration Status by Bioelectrical Impedance Vector Analysis in Patients with Ischemic Heart Disease Undergoing Exercise Stress Test

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) represents a group of clinical syndromes characterized by myocardial ischemia, leading to an impairment in the myocardial blood supply and compromised perfusion. Several clinical variables assessed through a stress test, such as oxygen uptake (VO2) and heart rate oxygen pulse (HR/O2), have been attributed as cardiopulmonary prognostic factors in patients with IHD. However, other factors like hydration status (HS), potentially affecting the cardiopulmonary response, have been barely addressed. Unbalanced HS has a short-term effect on plasma volume and the sympathetic nervous system, which impacts blood volume, and lowers VO2 and HR/O2. Recently, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), a method based on the opposition of body tissues (including fluid volume) to a low electrical current, has been widely used to assess HS by obtaining two components: resistance (R) and reactance (Xc) and using prediction formulas. However, several limitations as chronic illness or abnormal fluid status, may affect the results. In this sense, alternative BIA methods, such as bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA), have become relevant. R and Xc (adjusted by height) result in a vector plotted on the R/Xc graph, which allows interpreting the HS as normal or abnormal according to the distance of the mean vector. This study aims to describe how to determine HS by BIVA using a single-frequency device and compare the results with the cardiopulmonary response in patients with IHD.

Hydration status imbalances can have a short-term effect on direct and indirect determinants of oxygen uptake and pulse, and morbidity and mortality prognostic factors in ischemic heart disease. This protocol describes the technique for assessment of hydration status through bioelectrical impedance vector analysis and cardiopulmonary response during exercise stress test.

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) represents a group of clinical syndromes characterized by myocardial ischemia, leading to an impairment in the myocardial ...

Assessing Pulmonary Alveolar-Capillary Reserve During Exercise

Dual Test Gas Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity Measurement During Exercise in Humans Using the Single-Breath Method

The combined single-breath measurement of the diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide (DL,CO) and nitric oxide (DL,NO) is a useful technique to measure pulmonary alveolar-capillary reserve in both healthy and patient populations. The measurement provides an estimate of the participant&#39;s ability to recruit and distend pulmonary capillaries. The method has recently been reported to exhibit a high test-retest reliability in healthy volunteers during exercise of light to moderate intensity. Of note, this technique permits up to 12 repeated maneuvers and only requires a single breath with a relatively short breath-hold time of 5 s. Representative data are provided showing the gradual changes in DL,NO and DL,CO from rest to exercise at increasing intensities&#160;of up to 60% of maximal workload. The measurement of diffusing capacity and evaluation of alveolar-capillary reserve is a useful tool to evaluate the lung&#39;s ability to respond to exercise both in the healthy population as well as in patient populations such as those with chronic lung disease.

Author Spotlight: Integrating Alveolar-Capillary Reserve Measurements in Exercise Adaptation and Therapeutic Strategies

This protocol presents a method to assess pulmonary alveolar-capillary reserve measured by combined single-breath measurement of the diffusing capacity to carbon monoxide (DL,CO) and nitric oxide (DL,NO) during exercise. Assumptions and recommendations for using the technique during exercise form the foundation of this article.

The combined single-breath measurement of the diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide (DL,CO) and nitric oxide (DL,NO) is a useful technique to measure ...

Functional OT and Near-IR Spectroscopy to Study Brain Function Remodeling

Investigating the Effect of Different Types of Exercise on Upper Limb Functional Recovery in Patients with Right Hemisphere Damage Based on fNIRS

To investigate the effects of functional occupational therapy (FOT) combined with different types of exercise on upper limb motor function recovery and brain function remodeling in patients with right hemisphere damage (RHD) by analyzing functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Patients (n = 32) with RHD at Beijing Bo'ai Hospital were recruited and randomly allocated to receive either FOT combined with passive motion (N=16) or FOT combined with assisted active movement (N=16). The passive motion group (FOT-PM) received functional occupational therapy for 20 min and passive exercise for 10 min in each session, while the assisted active movement group (FOT-AAM) received functional occupational therapy for 20 min and assisted active exercise for 10 min. Both groups received conventional drug therapy and other rehabilitation therapy. Treatment was performed once a day, 5 times a week for 4 weeks. The recovery of motor function and activities of daily living (ADL) was assessed using Fugl-Meyer Assessment upper extremity (FMA-UE) and modified Barthel index (MBI) before and after treatment, and brain activation of the bilateral motor area was analyzed with fNIRS. The findings suggested that FOT combined with AAM was more effective than FOT combined with PM in improving the motor function of RHD patients' upper limbs and fingers, improving their ability to perform activities of daily living, and facilitating brain function remodeling of the motor area.

Author Spotlight: Advancing Upper Limb Rehabilitation in Patients with Right Hemisphere Damage Using Assisted Active Exercise

Here, we investigate the effect of functional occupational therapy combined with assisted active or passive motion on the upper limb function of patients with right hemisphere damage and explore the effect of functional near-infrared spectroscopy on brain function remodeling.

To investigate the effects of functional occupational therapy (FOT) combined with different types of exercise on upper limb motor function recovery and ...