Abstract
Objective: To determine if perioperative breathing exercises can reduce the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)surgery.
Subjects: This study was conducted in the cardiac surgery department at Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University Institute of Cardiology. The sample size was 30.
Intervention: Patients were randomized into a control group and an intervention group. Patients in the intervention group received perioperative breathing exercises, including balloon-blowing exercises, coughing, and deep breathing. The control group received standard perioperative care without any breathing exercises. The primary outcome measure was the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications; the secondary outcome measures were the evaluation of the effect of perioperative breathing exercises on arterial oxygenation, patient satisfaction, and a six-minute walk test (6MWT).
Results: Incidences of postoperative pulmonary complications in the breathing exercises group were lower than that in the control group (1/15 [6.7%] vs 7/15 [46.7%]; P=0.013). Partial pressure of oxygen(PaO2) on the intraoperative and after tracheal were significantly higher in the breathing exercises group than in the control group (P<0.05). Distance walked by patients undergoing breathing exercises was longer than the control group (264.33m vs 214.13m). Higher patient satisfaction (P<0.05) was achieved in the intervention group compared to the control group.
Conclusion: The findings of our pilot study suggest that perioperative breathing exercises may reduce the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications and preserve arterial oxygenation after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). A larger study is warranted to confirm these results and their possible clinical consequences.