The aim of this study is to compare the diameter of accessory respiratory muscles in patients with respiratory diseases and patients without such diseases, and to determine whether there is a connection between the ultrasound-measured thickness of accessory respiratory muscles and time of mechanical ventilation, as well as whether there is a the connection between the measured thickness and the treatment outcome of patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
An informed consent for the study was obtained from Ethics Committee, Osijek University Hospital, and Medical Faculty. Each patient will sign an informed consent prior to the inclusion into the prospective observational study. In all patients, the thickness of the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM), trapezius muscle (TM), and quadriceps femoris (QF) muscle will be measured. A measurement point is in the middle of each muscle. The diameter of each muscle will be measured three times, and the average of the three measurements will be calculated. In each patient hours of mechanical ventilation, and total time in the ICU will be recorded. Patients' comorbidities, ie. hypertension, cardiac diseases, diabetes, and other metabolic disorders, history of stroke, disabilities, as well as procedures done will be registered. A Pearson's or Spearman's correlation will be used to calculate connections between specific parameters.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
60
The study was performed using a Mindray TE7 ultrasound machine with the depth of the linear probe at 70 mm and gain of 90 dB; settings remained unchanged during the study. Measurements of the right m. sternocleidomastoideus, the right m. trapezius, and the right upper leg were taken, with the final value being the average of three measurements for each. The probe was set at the musculoskeletal ultrasound setting.
Osijek University Hospital
Osijek, Croatia
Number of days in the ICU
In order to be able to determine the outcome of treatment of patients in the intensive care unit, it is necessary to have a variable on how long the patients have been in the intensive care unit. Days spent in the ICU until discharge or death will be recorded.
Time frame: Three months
Hours of mechanical ventilation
Total hours spent on the mechanical ventilation is an important variable to compare with the treatment outcome of patients in the intensive care unit. Hours on mechanical ventilation until extubation will be recorded.
Time frame: Three months
Accessory respiratory musculature thickness in patients with chronic lung disease and without chronic lung disease will be compared.
An average of three measurements of accessory respiratory muscles, i.e. sternocleidomastoid (SCM) and trapezius muscle (TM) will be recorded. In addition, four heads of quadriceps femoris (QF) muscle will be measured three times and average of measurements will be recorded. A sum of all four heads will be registered in every patient. QF is usually a measure of patients' nutritive status and his/her mobility. It is expected to be thinner in the malnourished patients, in patients with mobility disorders and in older patients. A ratio between SCM, TM, and QF will be calculated for all the patients.
Time frame: Three months
Relationship between quadriceps muscle (QM) thickness and patient age
A correlation between patients' age and QM will be calculated.
Time frame: Three months
Outcomes of the patients' treatment in the intensive care unit, will be recorded and correlated with QF, accessory respiratory muscles (SCM and TM) thicknes.
A ratio between SCM and TM will be correlated with duration of the mechanical ventilation and total days in the ICU.
Time frame: Three months
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An influence of patients' demographic characteristics will be recorded and correlated with muscle thickness and outcomes.
For each patient age, sex, BMI, and comorbidities will be recorded, and correlated with hours of mechanical ventilation, days of ICU stay, and with accessory respiratory muscle thickness. A Pearson's or Spearman's correlation will be used for corelation analysis.
Time frame: Three months