The effect of preoperative chest physiotherapy on oxygenation and lung function in cardiac surgery patients: a randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND

Postoperative pulmonary complications in patients who undergo open heart surgery are serious life-threatening conditions. Few studies have investigated the potentially beneficial effects of preoperative physiotherapy in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVES

Assess the effects of preoperative chest physiotherapy on oxygenation and lung function in patients undergoing open heart surgery.

DESIGN

Randomized, controlled.

SETTING

University hospital.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with planned open heart surgery were randomly allocated into an intervention group of patients who underwent a preoperative home chest physiotherapy program for one week in addition to the traditional postoperative program and a control group who underwent only the traditional postoperative program. Lung function was assessed daily from the day before surgery until the seventh postoperative day.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Differences in measures of respiratory function and oxygen saturation. Length of postoperative hospital stay was a secondary outcome.

SAMPLE SIZE

100 patients (46 in intervention group, 54 in control group).

RESULTS

Postoperative improvements in lung function and oxygen saturation in the intervention group were statistically significant compared with the control group. The intervention group also had a statistically significant shorter hospital stay (<.01).

CONCLUSION

Preoperative chest physiotherapy is effective in improving respiratory function following open heart surgery.

LIMITATIONS

Relatively small number of patients.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

None.

REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04665024).