Background: Intensive care unit-acquired weakness (ICUAW) can occur after liver transplantation. Early diagnosis of ICUAW and monitoring of muscle condition during rehabilitation are helpful in improving functional recovery.
Methods and materials: A 47-year-old man with liver cirrhosis developed limb weakness after liver transplantation. The patient had a Medical Research Council sum score of 2 weeks post-liver transplantation with marked proximal limb weakness. Direct muscle stimulation was performed on the right tibialis anterior muscle; the nerve-to-muscle ratio of compound muscle action potentials was 0.96, which indicated critical illness myopathy. Fatigue analysis using surface electromyography was performed 4 times after liver transplantation.
Results and conclusions: The maximal voluntary contraction tended to increase during rehabilitation, whereas the percentage of maximal voluntary contraction tended to decrease, indicating that muscle strength was increased. The fatigue index gradually decreased, showing that muscle endurance had improved along with strength. Muscle fatigue can be evaluated during rehabilitation using surface electromyography to prevent damage of the impaired muscle and to control exercise intensity. Early diagnosis of ICUAW and evaluation of muscle fatigue during rehabilitation will ensure a better prognosis for patients with ICUAW.
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