Exercise Testing in ICU Survivors to Evaluate ICU-acquired Weakness

Overview

This study aims to investigate how sepsis and shock can impair microcirculation in intensive care unit (ICU) patients, which can lead to long-lasting muscle weakness/dysfunction or ICU-Acquired Weakness (ICU-AW) and exercise limitations.

Description

This longitudinal study will assess microvascular function through four (4) follow-ups after ICU discharge: at (i) 7 days, (ii) 3 months, (iii) 6 months, and (iv) 12 months. The goal is to understand how microvascular dysfunction contributes to ICU-AW and long-term exercise limitation in ICU survivors.

Specific goals are:

1. Characterize the natural trajectory of skeletal muscle microvascular function in ICU survivors using high-resolution NIRS.
2. Demonstrate an impairment in skeletal muscle microvascular oxygen delivery and cardiovascular blood flow regulation in ICU survivors.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients who have received mechanical ventilation for at least 7 days in the MICU or SICU and have subsequently been discharged.
• Patients enrolled in existing microvascular monitoring study in the ICU regardless of duration of mechanical ventilation.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Unable to provide consent
• Trajectory of health expected to be significantly limited in the upcoming 12 months