Article

OBJECTIVE: To assess cardiorespiratory fitness in patients following an
aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage and to explore this in fatigued and
non-fatigued patients. DESIGN: Cross-sectional case-control study. SUBJECTS : A total of 28 patients, 6 months post aneurysmal subarachnoid
haemorrhage, and 28 sex- and age-matched controls. METHODS: Cardiorespiratory
responses to a progressive cardiopulmonary exercise test on a cycle ergometer
were obtained using indirect calorimetry. Fatigue was assessed using the Fatigue
Severity Scale. RESULTS: Mean peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) was significantly
lower in patients (22.0 (standard deviation (SD) 6.2) ml/kg/min) than in controls
(69% of controls, p < 0.001). All other cardiorespiratory fitness parameters were
also lower, with peak levels ranging from 62% to 77% of matched controls. Mean
VO2peak was 19.4 (SD 4.1) ml/kg/min in fatigued patients (63% of matched
controls, p < 0.001) and 23.9 (SD 6.9) ml/kg/min in non-fatigued patients (74% of
matched controls, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Cardiorespiratory fitness is impaired
after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage, both in fatigued and non-fatigued
patients. This finding may have implications for treatment.

Langue : ANGLAIS