The Effect of Steroid Dose Regimen on the Relationship Between Lower Extremity Muscle Function and Cardiac Function in Post Heart Transplant Patients

Differences in cardiovascular/aerobic function in heart transplant patients might be attributed to the rate of corticosteroid withdrawal and/or to skeletal muscle function. This hypothesis was tested among nine male, cardiac transplant recipients. Prednisone dosage was monitored, and isokinetic strength testing was performed at 4 different time periods throughout the first year post-transplantation. Cardiovascular/aerobic measurements were obtained at the fourth time period. Pre-surgery characteristics were obtained from the patient's medical record. Significant Pearson-product moment correlations were only found between muscle function and aerobic function and between pre-surgery characteristics and cardiovascular/aerobic performance. The results of this study show no evidence that rapid reduction of prednisone dosage enhances aerobic function by benefiting skeletal muscle function.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of North Texas

Year dc:date

2001

Author dc:creator

• Galatas, Mary V.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Hill, David W.
• Goggin, Noreen
• Koziris, L. Perry

• Heart -- Transplantation -- Patients.
• Prednisone.
• Cardiovascular system.
• Leg -- Muscles.
• heart transplantation
• patients
• corticosteroid regimen
• muscle
• strength

Statement dc:rights

• Use restricted to UNT Community
• Copyright
• Galatas, Mary V.
• Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

Language dc:language

English

Identifier

oclc: 47833626
https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc2761/
ark: ark:/67531/metadc2761

OAI identifier oai:identifier

info:ark/67531/metadc2761