Cardiopulmonary responses to exercise in an individual with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome during long-term treatment with intravenous saline: A case study

• Published in: Work (Reading, Mass.) Mass.), 2020-07, Vol.66 (2), p.353-359
• Main Authors: Davenport, Todd E., Ward, Michael K., Stevens, Staci R., Stevens, Jared, Snell, Christopher R., VanNess, J. Mark
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activities of daily living; Administration, Intravenous - methods; Adult; Anaerobic threshold; Blood pressure; Chronic fatigue syndrome; Encephalomyelitis; Exercise Test - methods; Exercise Therapy - methods; Exercise Therapy - standards; Exercise Therapy - statistics & numerical data; Fatigue; Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic - complications; Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic - physiopathology; Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic - therapy; Heart rate; Heart Rate - physiology; Humans; Intolerance; Intravenous administration; Long-Term Care - standards; Long-Term Care - statistics & numerical data; Male; Quality of life; Recovery time; Saline Solution - administration & dosage; Saline Solution - pharmacology; Saline Solution - therapeutic use
• ISSN: 1051-9815; 1875-9270
• DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203214

BACKGROUND: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) causes significant impairment in daily activities, including the ability to pursue daily activities. Chronotropic intolerance is becoming better characterized in ME/CFS and may be the target of supportive treatment. OBJECTIVE: To document the effect of repeated intravenous (IV) saline administration on cardiovascular functioning and symptoms in a 38-year old female with ME/CFS. METHODS: The patient received 1 L of 0.9% IV saline through a central line for a total of 675 days. Single CPETs were completed periodically to assess the effect of treatment on cardiopulmonary function at peak exertion and ventilatory anaerobic threshold (VAT). An open-ended symptom questionnaire was used to assess subjective responses to CPET and self-reported recovery time. RESULTS: Improvements were noted in volume of oxygen consumed (VO2), heart rate (HR), and systolic blood pressure (SBP) at peak and VAT. Self-reported recovery time from CPET reduced from 5 days to 1–2 days by the end of treatment. The patient reported improved quality of life related, improved capacity for activities of daily living, and reduced symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: IV saline may promote beneficial effects for cardiopulmonary function and symptoms in people with ME/CFS, which should be the focus of formal study.