J Korean Acad Rehabil Med.  2006 Jun;30(3):236-240.

Evaluation of Cardiopulmonary Function and Serum Lipid Profile in Spinal Cord Injured Patients

• Kim KY
• Shin SB

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To help cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and prevention of cardiovascular disease in spinal cord injured patients. METHOD: Twenty spinal cord injured patients were divided into 3 groups according to level of injury - cervical, thoracic and lumbar level groups. Exercise stress test was initiated at a velocity of 1.5 mph for 1 minute and was increased 0.5 mph for each subsequent minute. To evaluate blood lipid profiles, we measured total cholesterol, HDL (high density lipoprotein)-cholesterol, LDL (low density lipoprotein)-cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the fasting state.
RESULTS
Oxygen consumption, oxygen consumption ratio of maximal oxygen consumption and minute ventilation were significantly higher in the thoracic and lumbar cord level groups compared to the cervical cord level group (p<0.05). There was a significant difference between all 3 groups in respect to total duration of exercise (p<0.05). The HDL- cholesterol level showed significant correlation with total exercise time (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Cardiopulmonary evaluation by specialized wheel chair system in spinal cord injured patients may be more safe and accurate method compared to the previous examination.

Keyword

Spinal cord injury; Cardiopulmonary function; Lipid profile

MeSH Terms

Cardiovascular Diseases
Cholesterol
Cholesterol, HDL
Exercise Test
Fasting
Humans
Oxygen Consumption
Rehabilitation
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal Cord*
Triglycerides
Ventilation
Wheelchairs
Cholesterol
Cholesterol, HDL