P240 Parasternal electromyography as a measure of respiratory muscle function in patients recovering from severe COVID-19 pneumonia

P240 Table 1Measures of parasternal electromyography Measured value Z-score EMGpara (µV) 5 80 (3 91–12 26) 1 27 (0 73–2 10) EMGpara%max (%) 15 45 (11 41–23 27) 2 93 (1 91–4 34) NRDI (% bpm) 224 (164–306) 2 68 (1 79–3 90) Data are presented as median (interquartile range) Abbreviations: z-score = standardised residual, EMGpara = mean root mean square parasternal electromyography per breath, µV = microvolts, EMGpara%max = EMGpara as a proportion of volitional maximum, NRDI = Neural Respiratory Drive Index ConclusionsInspiratory muscle activation was high, which may reflect underlying interstitial pathology, critical illness myopathy, deconditioning or anxiety relating to clinic attendance Parasternal electromyography is a well-tolerated technique that avoids aerosolisation of respiratory droplets and utilises equipment that is easily decontaminated between patients This makes it a practical and informative measure of lung function during the COVID-19 pandemic