CHANGES OF HEMOGLOBIN CONTENT IN STIMULATED SKELETAL MUSCLES IN PATIENTS WITH CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE

Aim The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) on hemoglobin (Hb) content of quadriceps muscle in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). Patients and methods Eight male subjects (mean age 55.3 ± 6.1 years; NYHA class II-III; mean EF 38.4 ± 6.2%) completed a 5-week home training program of 42 one-hour sessions of EMS at 10Hz. Muscle hemoglobin changes were assessed using the method of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and tissue oxygenation monitor (NIRO 200, Hamamatsu Photonics, J) to determine total hemoglobin index (THI) from the oxyhemoglobin/deoxyhemoglobin ratio. EMS training benefit was evaluated by means of spiroergometry to determine peak oxygen capacity (VO2peak), by 6-min walking distance test and by muscle power measurement. Results At the end of EMS training a significant increase of the THI (expressed as mean ± SD) from 0.87 ± 0.33 to 1.99 ± 0.45 (P<0.01) was observed. A significant improvement was also seen in another studied parameters (except VO2peak): VO2AT increased from 2.3 ± 0.8 to 3.0 ± 0.7 METs (P<0.05), walking distance increased from 285 ± 35.3 to 349 ± 28.2 m (P<0.01), and muscle power increased from 101.2 ± 19.5 to 149.4 ± 16.3 J.kg -1 (P<0.01). Conclusion This study demonstrated that 5-week EMS training increases significantly the Hb content reflecting better oxygen supply of the stimulated muscles. Therefore, EMS may be a viable alternative to improve physical performance and oxygen utilization in patients with CHF.

Supported by the grant MSM 0021622402