Respiratory Muscles Electromyography in Patients With Covid-19

This research was characterized as a cross-sectional observational study, following the recommendations of the STROBE instrument. Therefore, it was conducted in the Intensive Care Unit of Otávio de Freitas Hospital (HOF) in Recife/PE, with patients over 18 years old who had a clinical diagnosis of COVID-19, using two methods of oxygen therapy (Nasal Oxygen Therapy) and (non-rebreather mask). Consequently, clinical evaluations were performed regarding the disease, severity of COVID-19, perception of respiratory effort, and electromyography of respiratory muscles. 1. Leading Question: How does the recruitment pattern of diaphragmatic and extradiaphragmatic muscles in patients with acute hypoxemia caused by COVID-19 behave when assessed through EMGs, considering the SpO2/FiO2 ratio as the analysis parameter? 2. Leading Question: Is there a relationship between the respiratory work estimated by electromyographic activity of diaphragmatic and extradiaphragmatic muscles in patients with acute hypoxemia due to COVID-19 and the parameters of respiratory frequency and levels of acute hypoxemia measured by the SpO2/FiO2 ratio? The rationale for this study is that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant impacts on global public health due to the high volume of respiratory complications in the face of a limited supply of healthcare resources, consequently leading to high mortality. Complications are initially manifested by acute hypoxemia associated with COVID-19 infection, sometimes silent upon visual inspection or using less sensitive methods. This complicates the management of compensatory respiratory work for hypoxemia, even with oxygen therapy support. Respiratory muscle recruitment involves aspects of inspiratory effort and ventilatory mechanics. Recognizing the presence and recruitment pattern of muscles involved in a timely manner can contribute to the clinical management success rate of individuals affected by respiratory dysfunction associated with COVID-19, es