ICU Combined Assessment of Cardio-Respiratory Exercise
Trial Parameters
Brief Summary
This study aims to investigate how sepsis and critical illness can impair the cardiovascular system and microcirculation in intensive care unit (ICU) patients, which can lead to long-lasting muscle weakness/dysfunction or ICU-Acquired Weakness (ICU-AW) and exercise limitations.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients who have received mechanical ventilation for at least 7 days in the intensive care unit (ICU) and have subsequently been discharged from hospital. Exclusion Criteria: * Unable to provide consent * Trajectory of health expected to be significantly limited in the upcoming 12 months * those who self-report that they cannot climb at least one flight of stairs due to limited exercise capacity * have significant orthopedic or musculoskeletal impairment affecting mobility * have a medical history of neuromuscular disease * ongoing respiratory limitations (i.e., supplemental oxygen) * significant heart disease (i.e. ejection fraction less than 30%, unstable ischemic heart disease, severe valvular heart disease) * a body mass index (BMI) of ≥ 40 kg/m2 (impacting NIRS signal due to adipose tissue thickness) * if participant's primary residence is a significant distance from Winnipeg