Cyclo-Ergometry in the Patient With Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

In March 2020 the World Health Organization declares the Coronavirus disease pandemic 2019. Intensive Care Units deal entirely with patients with pneumonia complicated by Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, requiring aggressive respiratory treatments with long periods of connection to mechanical ventilation, sedation and immobilization, contributing to the onset of acquired critical patient muscle weakness (IAPD). IUCD is a frequent complication in intensive care units, with an incidence of 11-67%¹. Of multifactorial cause, immobilization or "bed-rest", the use of corticosteroids and neuromuscular blocking agents have been described as factors directly related to this syndrome. Several studies have shown that mobilization of the patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome, even with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, is safe, feasible and beneficial for the patient. Bedside cyclo-ergometry has been associated with a reduction in the degree of sarcopenia, contributing to the recovery of the critically ill patient. Several studies document that bed cyclo-ergometry is safe and feasible in critically ill patients within the first week of admission to intensive care, but few clinical trials exist.