Effects of Deep Breathing Exercises Two Months After Cardiac Surgery

Effects of Deep Breathing Exercises Two Months After Cardiac Surgery

Hypothesis: Deep breathing exercises performed during the first two months after cardiac surgery, will improve pulmonary function and patient-perceived quality of recovery.

Specific aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of breathing exercises performed with a mechanical device for positive expiratory pressure during the first two months after cardiac surgery compared to a control group performing no breathing exercises.

Design: A prospective, randomized, controlled two-center study.

Contribution: The study will be taken place at two University hospitals in Sweden.

Uppsala university hospital (PhD, Registered physical therapist (RPT)) Margareta Emtner and RPT Charlotte Urell) and Örebro university hospital; (Elisabeth Westerdahl and RPT Marcus Jonsson).

Time planning: Application to the Research Ethics Committee april 2007. Data collection 2007-2011. Statistical analysis and manuscript writing 2011.

Inclusion Criteria:

• A sample of 360 adults (>18 years) patients undergoing cardiac surgery at the two University hospitals are invited to participate in the study.
• Type of cardiac surgery included will be Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) with saphenous vein grafts and/or internal mammary artery graft, valve surgery or combinations of CABG and valve surgery.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients who have an emergency operation, previous cardiac or lung surgery, renal dysfunction requiring dialysis or are unable to communicate in Swedish will not be included.
• Patients who requires more than 24 hours respirator treatment, reintubation, reoperation, sternum instability/infection or develop a neurological, mental or haemodynamic complication that affects the patients' ability to collaborate, will be excluded.