Surface electromyography of the diaphragm muscle in patients submitted to liver transplantation – Preliminary data

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic liver disease can lead to metabolic and organic that determine the postoperative recovery of liver transplant. The post-operative period is critical to the transplanted patient, especially as to the assessment and conduction of the hemodynamic and the ventilatory function. Thus, the assessment of these changes influences the interruption of the ventilatory support, and consequently the ventilatory therapeutics for those patients. Purpose: To assess the perficial electromyography of the diaphragm in the post - liver transplantation with and without the use of positive pressure. Methods: Male and females patients with ages 18 to 75 years after liver transplantation in the UCI of the Unicamp Clinical Hospital. The pre, intra and post-surgery information were noted. The RMS (root means square) was performed by using electromyography of the diaphragm upon opening of the spontaneous mode on mechanical ventilation, and after extubation. Results: Seven individuals were selected, two were excluded as they did not sign the informed consent, and the study was comprised by five individuals, three males, mean age 61+ 2.6 years. No significant differences were founded between RMS of the left dome with and without positive pressure. But there was a statistically significant difference between RMS of the right dome with and without positive pressure (p= 0.043). Conclusion: It was possible to assess the superficial electromyography of the diaphragm in the post liver transplantation. It was verified an inefficient resistance of the diaphragm muscle without the assistance of the positive pressure, especially on the side of the transplanted organ.