Comparison of Two Modes of Respiratory Physiotherapy in Cardio-thoracic Surgical Patients

Comparison of Two Modes of Respiratory Physiotherapy in Cardio-thoracic Surgical Patients

Two forms of pre and postoperative physiotherapy are compared in three cohorts of patients undergoing cardio-thoracic surgery: Minor thoracic surgery (biopsy), major thoracic surgery (lobectomy etc, open or VATS) and cardiac surgery

Inspiratory force calibrated training is applied in a controlled randomized trial

Inclusion Criteria:

• cardiothoracic operation,
• informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• reduced co-operation (such as psychiatric diagnosis),
• severe neurologic disease affecting respiratory function,
• alcohol or drug abuse at hospital entry,
• tuberculosis or other contagious lung infection,
• severe respiratory insufficiency SpO2 < 90 or blood pO2 <8 or rep.rate > 25/min at rest or supplementary oxygen required at home,
• cardiac pacemaker.