title: Evaluation of respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary function in heart failure patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Heart failure (HF) is the inability of the heart to pump enough blood to supply the necessities of the body. Pulmonary function and respiratory muscles can be affected and typical symptoms presented by the patients include discomfort at a minimal exertion.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To verify pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength in patients with class II and III HF as defined by the New York Heart Association (NYHA).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was descriptive and observational, and comprised 12 class II and III HF patients in follow-up at the out-patient. Pulmonary function assessments [Forced Expiratory Volume in the first second (FEV1) and Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)] were performed using microspirometry and respiratory muscle strength [Maximal Expiratory Pressure (MEPmax) and Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (MIPmax)] were evaluated using a pressure transducer (Globalmed).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Differences were found between the functional classes II and III in relation to pulmonary function: FEV1 (II: 91.17 +/- 19.87; III: 68.17 +/- 21.78); FVC (II: 68.17 +/- 21.78; III: 73.67 +/- 22.94); and respiratory muscle strength: MIPmax (II: 71.67 +/- 40.70; III: 53.33 +/- 29.27) and MEPmax (II: 98.83 +/- 34.56; III: 58.33 +/- 15.06). The class II were higher for all study parameters, only MEPmax revealed a statistically significant difference.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength are impaired in heart failure patients class III patients, particularly in relation to MEPmax.
authors.affiliation: Centro Universitário Metodista-IPA, Irmandade Santa Casa de Misecórdia de Porto Alegre, Fundação Faculdade Federal de Ciências Médicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil.
authors.forename: Luiz Alberto
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Forgiarini
authors.forename: Angélica
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rubleski
authors.forename: Garcia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Douglas
authors.forename: Juliana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tieppo
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vercelino
authors.forename: Adriane
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dal Bosco
authors.forename: Mariane Borba
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Monteiro
authors.forename: Alexandre Simões
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Dias
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000502:physiology; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007320:Inspiratory Capacity / Q000502:physiology; D016014:Linear Models; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008448:Maximal Expiratory Flow Rate / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D012132:Respiratory Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000502:physiology