ESC heart failure
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation is feasible in patients with acute heart failure.
In acute heart failure (AHF), immobilization is caused because of unstable haemodynamics and dyspnoea, leading to protein wasting. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has been reported to preserve muscle mass and improve functional outcomes in chronic disease. NMES may be effective against protein wasting frequently manifested in patients with AHF; however, whether NMES can be implemented safely without any adverse effect on haemodynamics has remained unknown. This study aimed to examine the feasibility of NMES in patients with AHF. ⋯ NMES is feasible in patients with AHF from immediately after admission.