INCREASE IN MUSCLE STRENGTH AFTER LOW- FREQUENCY ELECTRICAL STIMULATION IN CHRONIC

A b s t r a c t This study was designed to evaluate the effect of low-frequency electrical stimulation (LFES) of skeletal muscles in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). A group of 14 patients with CHF, NYHA grades III to IV, were examined before and after 3 weeks of LFES of quadriceps muscles. Improvement in muscle strength was evaluated by dynamometry and blood flow velocity in the right femoral artery was assessed by pulsed-wave Doppler velocimetry. Three weeks of LFES significantly increased both muscle strength and blood flow velocity. It is concluded that LFES may improve the structural and functional patterns of skeletal muscles and may be useful in the treatment of patients with severe chronic heart failure. K e y w o r d s Chronic heart failure, Low-frequency electrical stimulation, Skeletal muscle, Dynamometr