FES is an exercise training programme that improves endothelial function in patients with chronic heart failure, and also has anti-inflammatory effects.
Traumatic tricuspid insufficiency, a rare complication of blunt chest trauma, has been reported with increasing frequency during the last 40 years. Automobile accidents are the leading cause of traumatic tricuspid valve regurgitation. The most frequently reported injury is chordal rupture, followed by rupture of the anterior papillary muscle and leaflet tear, primarily of the anterior leaflet. In the acute phase of the injury, the traumatic lesion may go undetected. In the chronic phase many patients remain asymptomatic and others exhibit symptoms and signs of moderate to severe right heart failure. Clinically overt right heart failure has been the traditional indication for surgery, which usually consisted of tricuspid valve replacement. More recently, a more aggressive strategy, with surgical repair of the valve performed before deterioration of the right ventricular function occurs, has been advocated.
Objective: Functional electrical stimulation (FES) improves exercise capacity and endothelial function in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients. This study evaluates the impact of FES on quality of life and emotional stress in patients with moderate to severe CHF. Methods: Thirty patients with stable CHF (24 men; NYHA class II-III; left ventricular ejection fraction b35%) were randomly assigned (2:1) to a 6-week FES training program (n = 20) or placebo (n = 10). Questionnaires addressing quality of life [Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ), functional and overall], and emotional stress [Zung self-rating depression scale (SDS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)], as well as plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and 6-min walking distance test (6MWT) were assessed at baseline and after completion of training protocol. Results: A significant improvement in KCCQ functional (F = 76.666, p b 0.001), KCCQ overall (F = 41.508, p b 0.001), BDI (F = 17.768, p b 0.001) and Zung SDS (F = 27.098, p b 0.001) was observed in the FES group compared to placebo. Patients in the FES group had also a significant increase in 6MWT (F = 19.413, p b 0.001) and a trend towards reduction in plasma BNP (F = 4.252, p = 0.053) compared to placebo. Conclusion: FES seems to have a beneficial effect on quality of life, exercise capacity and emotional stress in patients with moderate to severe CHF.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.