Desenvolvimento de um cicloergômetro para avaliação de parâmetros ecocardiográficos durante o teste máximo de exercício físico

Abstract

Introduction: Noninvasive tests for the detection of coronary diseases such as myocardial ischemia are routinely used in the world and here in Brazil. In this light, the echocardiogram performed during the maximal stress test has an excellent cost effectiveness ratio, however, for its performance, a cycle ergometer is necessary that can be adjusted so that the patient is in the supine position, so that, the echocardiographer is able to acquire the images during all phases of the test. Objectives: To build a low cost cycle ergometer that can be applied in the evaluation of echocardiographic parameters during the maximum exercise test, as well as to evaluate the quality of these parameters. Methods: CAD Solid Works software for Windows version 2018 was used to format the design of the base of the cycle ergometer, as well as to outline the assembly and operation of the transmission system. Then, the construction of the cycle ergometer began, emphasizing the use of alternative materials, but which would provide comfort, stability and safety for patients during the test. After production, a Bushido Smart T2300 bike training roller was attached to the cycle ergometer. For the evaluation of the cycle ergometer, a stable load test (50 and 100 Watts) was performed for 10 minutes each load, and an incremental test (30, 60, 90 and 120 Watts) for 3 minutes each load, both tests with a cadence of 60 cycles per minute. Electrocardiographic records and echocardiographic images were obtained in 11 individuals (8 men and 3 women), with a mean age of 46,6±7,7 years and a BMI of 29,2±4,03Kg / m2, without cardiovascular or osteomioarticular comorbidities. Results: The cycle ergometer showed a good response to the stable and incremental load test, demonstrating the equipment's capacity to perform exams where exercise is the stressor. Eighty-two percent of the tests were successful and the average maximum HR achieved in the tests was 15215 bpm, for an average forecast of 1749 bpm. This represented an effort of 89% of the estimated. The electrocardiographic tracing showed good quality, without any difficulty for its evaluation or diagnosis. The echocardiogram images were of excellent quality, allowing a diagnosis of the parameters in all windows assessed without difficulties. Conclusion: in this study we can demonstrate that the constructed and evaluated cycle ergometer, despite its simple and low cost construction, proved to be useful and adequate to perform the echocardiogram during the maximum exercise test, filling a gap in the medical equipment trade, as well as fully meeting the objectives of LETFAS to contribute to science with the advancement of its research in the line of exercise in health and disease.