Effect of Respiratory Rehabilitation Before Open Cardiac Surgery on Respiratory Function: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Introduction: Prevention of pulmonary complications after coronary artery bypass graft is attended as a very important issue. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of pulmonary rehabilitation before surgery for reducing the risk of pulmonary complications after surgery. Methods: In a randomized clinical trial, 60 patients undergoing heart surgery were randomly divided into two groups A and B. Chest physiotherapy was performed before and after surgery on group A patients however it was done on group B's, only after surgery. Effects of preoperative pulmonary rehabilitation were compared between two groups, using spirometry and arterial blood gas (ABG). Results: Thirty nine males (65%) and 21 females (35%) with mean age of 8.10 +/- 9.56 were analyzed. The mean differences were statistically significant for predicted forced vital capacity (FVC) (CI 95%: 1.3 to 8.7) and Predicted Peak Flow indices (PEF) (CI 95%: 1.9 to 9.4) of spirometry indicator, PCO2 index (of ABG parameter) (CI 95%: 1.4 to 8.9) and mean oxygen saturation (mean Spo2) (CI 95%: 0.6 to 1.7) of ABG index in two groups. Conclusion: The performance of pulmonary rehabilitation program before surgery is recommended, as it may result in the reduction of complications of heart surgery.