TY - JOUR T1 - Peripheral muscle electrostimulation: Cardiovascular response in COPD patients and long term effects JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 38 IS - Suppl 55 SP - p4808 AU - Bruno-Pierre Dubé AU - Marilyn Houle-Péloquin AU - Poirier Claude Y1 - 2011/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p4808.abstract N2 - Conventionnal pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) suppose minimal active exercise. Because the ventilatory limitation, severe COPD patients are not always able to fully participate. Electrostimulation (ESM) of the peripheral muscles helps to prevent total unuse of the patients muscles and could aim to a complete PR program. The long term benefits of this intervention may be evanescent. The cardiovascular effects of ESM are not known in severe to very severe COPD patients.We prospectively studied 9 COPD patients (3 females and 6 males, mean age of 65 y/o, mean FEV1 of 0,78 L (28%)) undergoing home-based peripheral muscles ESM. This latter consisted of 5 periods of 20 minutes, 5 times a week and for 3 weeks. Short and long term benefits were measured according to 6MWT and 1RM leg press test. Cardiac frequency (F) and arterial pressure (AP) were registered each 5 minutes during periods 1, 7 and 15.F and AP did not show any significant fluctuations from beginning to end of the ESM period, and there is no difference between periods 1 and 15. 6MWT showed a mild but statistically significant improvement (232 to 244 m, p = 0,02). The 1RM leg press was also improved (192 to 209 p, p=0,004). After, 3/9 patients were able to complete a PR program. At one year, 6MWT and 1RM leg press test were below the baseline values. ESM was well tolerated by the patients, without complication.Conclusion: Home-based ESM program is a safe procedure and is not associated with significant change in F and AP, and an immediate impact was observed on 6MWT and 1RM leg press test. It could precede a complete PR program in selected severe to very severe COPD patients and be offered in a context of hospitalization. ER -