Respiratory muscle strength in ischemic cardiomyopathy and COVID-19 patients.

Less respiratory muscle strength is associated with deteriorated respiratory function and worse quality of life. It is well-known that acute and chronic diseases negatively impact muscular mass and strength. However, the association of ischemic cardiomyopathy and respiratory muscle strength is not well-established in long COVID-19 patients. To evaluate respiratory strength mass and pulmonary function in subjects with ischemic cardiomyopathy and long COVID-19. In this prospective cohort study, patients with a long COVID-19 needed hospitalization during the acute phase. The maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) assessed respiratory muscle strength. Exercise tolerance was evaluated by a six-minute walk test (6MWT). 545 patients were studied. Subjects with ischemic cardiomyopathy had higher prevalence of systemic arterial hypertension and COPD, as well lower MIP, MEP, peak expiratory flow, forced vital capacity. It is known that with ischemic cardiomyopathy, there are alterations in body composition. Our study shows that there is also a reduction in the strength of respiratory muscles, which negatively impacts pulmonary function and quality of life of patients with long COVID-19, who also show a higher prevalence of comorbidities such as arterial hypertension and COPD. Patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and long COVID-19 have reduced strength in respiratory muscles. <fig><object-id>erj;64/suppl_68/PA5271/F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><graphic></graphic></fig>