Respiratory physiotherapy and its application in preoperative period of cardiac surgery
Regina Coeli Vasques de MirandaI; Susimary Aparecida Trevizan PadullaI; Carolina Rodrigues BortolattoII
IPhD; Assistant Professor at Faculty of Sciences and Technology at State University of São Paulo (UNESP) Júlio de Mesquita Filho - Campus Presidente Prudente, Presidente Prudente, SP, Brazil
IIGraduation in Physiotherapy; Student Specialist in Hospital Physiotherapy at Faculty of Sciences and Technology at State University of São Paulo (UNESP) Júlio de Mesquita Filho - Campus Presidente Prudente, Presidente Prudente, SP, Brazil
IIGraduation in Physiotherapy; Student Specialist in Hospital Physiotherapy at Faculty of Sciences and Technology at State University of São Paulo (UNESP) Júlio de Mesquita Filho - Campus Presidente Prudente, Presidente Prudente, SP, Brazil
ABSTRACT
Cardiac surgical procedures change respiratory mechanics, defecting in lung dysfunction. The physical therapists play an important role in the preparation and rehabilitation of individuals who are undergoing cardiac surgery, as they have a large quantity of techniques. The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of breathing exercises with and without the use of devices, and respiratory muscle training in preoperative period of cardiac surgery in reducing postoperative pulmonary complications. Although there are controversies as to which technique to use, studies show the effectiveness of preoperative physiotherapy in the prevention and reduction of postoperative pulmonary complications.
Descriptors: Cardiac surgical procedures. Physical therapy modalities. Rehabilitation. Postoperative complications.
INTRODUCTION
An important moment in the history of medicine of the twentieth century was the performance of the open surgical technique, allowing constant technical advances, including relevant national contributions [1]. Following the path of conquest, surgical treatment remains the best therapeutic modality related to survival of individuals with coronary heart disease, as well as in individuals with valvular dysfunction [1,2]. Despite numerous advances, the occurrence of complications after cardiac interventions is very common and is a major cause of postoperative morbidity and mortality [2,3].
Historically, respiratory physiotherapy has been used in patients undergoing cardiac surgery in order to reduce the risk of pulmonary complications, such as retention of secretions, atelectasis and pneumonia [4], both in adults and in children [5].
Participation in the preparation of physiotherapists and rehabilitation of individuals who are undergoing surgical procedures are relevant, given the great arsenal of techniques available [6].
It is described in the literature, in addition to the relative scarcity, that studies related to the approach of physiotherapy in the preoperative have different techniques [7]. Given the importance of physiotherapy in the prevention and treatment of postoperative complications, this literature review was written, in order to gather relevant information on this subject.
REVIEW
Leguisamo et al. [8] recommended that physiotherapy should be started preoperatively, to assess and educate patients. Studies have shown that preoperative physiotherapeutic significantly reduced the risk of developing pulmonary complications after the surgery of children under the age of six years [9].
Garbossa et al. [6] suggest that the time spent is better spent, and the professional can answer questions of the individual and guide him as to new situations that will face.
The importance of proper preoperative assessment in cardiac patients is due to the fact that it is common the reduced lung volumes postoperatively. The decrease in functional residual capacity (FRC) is one of the key determinants of hypoxemia and atelectasis, which can occur in this type of surgery [10].
Surveys performed in Australia and New Zealand by Reeve et al. [11] and in Sweden by Westerdahl & Möller [12] found that the majority of physiotherapists provides preoperative information for patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery, such as early mobilization, sternotomy restrictions, risk of pulmonary complications techniques for getting in and out of bed/chair, breathing exercises, cough techniques and information on exercise lower limb. Thus, the guidance given to patients regarding their responsibilities in relation to treatment, helps their direct participation during the postoperative period [8,12,13].
Studies on post-surgical changes show that lung volume does not depend solely on the activity of respiratory muscles, but also the mechanical properties of the lungs. The reduction in lung compliance, increased airway resistance and the abolition of sighs are also factors observed after cardiac surgery. The lower diaphragmatic mobility implies the pain associated with reduced FRC, reducing ventilation and expandability of the lower areas of the lungs [10]. Giacomazzi et al. [14] demonstrated in their studies that the pain was the most persistent complaints, as well as significant reduction in lung function until the fifth postoperative day.
Several protocols of preoperative pulmonary assessment were established over the years. Some studies confirm the relevance of the history of the patient, the presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, smoking, obesity and age [2,7-10,15,16]. They used spirometry to determine the values of forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in one second, measurement of maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressures by manometer and cirtometry for obtaining measurements of the circumferences and thoracoabdominal motion [2,7,10,14-16]. The chest radiograph, taken to be a useful, minimally invasive, low cost, although rarely requested preoperatively, became routine in the postoperative period [17].
Due to the increasing costs of health services and more options for the treatment of heart diseases, the identification of patient risk factors for postoperative complications may influence the decision about the appropriate course of action.
Similarly, funding organizations of procedures need to define the complications of risk parameters to improve resource planning and the final cost of hospitalization [18].
It is important therefore to identify the preoperative period, patients with higher risk of postoperative complications, because it is high the number of variables that can interfere with a surgical procedure [19]. Several scales and scores can be used in the evaluation processes involved in cardiorrhespiratory rehabilitation in cardiac surgery.
The Torrington and Henderson Scale, useful in the preoperative clinical evaluation of surgical patients can adequately stratify the risk of low, moderate and high intensity for the occurrence of pulmonary complications and death due to pulmonary elective general surgery. This stratification ensures that specific strategies and preventive measures are dispensed to patients at higher risk [20].
The heart rate variability has also emerged as a simple noninvasive measure in the evaluation of autonomic nervous system, a regulator of physiological processes in the human body and indicator of health commitment [21].
The Tuman score identifies the group of patients with increased risk of infectious complications, as the infection remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in surgical patients, with a special interest in identifying risk factors for its occurrence [18] . Prolonged hospitalization of patients awaiting coronary artery bypass surgery presents potential risk of immobilization [22].
Taking into account the presentation of pulmonary dysfunction associated with cardiac surgery and its possible repercussions, respiratory physiotherapy has been requested in order to reverse or prevent the development of pulmonary complications [4.23], using variety of techniques. However, a systematic review of the literature shows that there are controversies on the subject, making it difficult to decide which resource would be more useful and less expensive in the management of these patients. The techniques used in respiratory physiotherapy vary according to countries and with the practice of each service [18].
The ventilatory exercises consists in the adjustment of inspiratory and expiratory ventilation depth to the more appropriate pattern of ventilatory muscle, both in terms of respiratory rate and tidal volume. Physiotherapy guides the patient to properly use the ventilatory muscle and understand the different types of ventilatory patterns, through practical demonstration of this process [3,24,25].
An observational study performed in Spain with 263 patients, of whom 159 received preoperative physiotherapy showed that incentive spirometry, deep breathing exercises, early ambulation and assisted cough are related to lower incidence of atelectasis (17% vs. 36 %) after CABG with CPB, the difference being considered significant and clinically relevant [26].
In 2005, Westerdahl et al. [23] concluded that preoperative physiotherapy, with deep breathing exercises when compared to the system without breathing instructions significantly decreased atelectasis and improved ventilation spirometry. Physiotherapy treatment of difficult resolution of atelectasis during pediatric cardiac surgery had better mucociliary clearance after inhalation of hypertonic saline with 6% NaCl [27].
Leguisamo et al. [8] studied the effectiveness of a physiotherapy program of breathing patterns in the pre-operative coronary artery bypass grafting. They concluded that patients educated preoperatively will be better prepared to collaborate with the postoperative treatment and understanding of the aims of pre- and postoperative physiotherapy and the proposed technique can reduce the length of stay in hospital.
Comparative data between groups of children who received pre- and postoperative physiotherapy and group that performed exercises only in the postoperative period showed that pulmonary complications were significantly lower in the group that underwent physiotherapy before and after surgery [9].
Studies by Garbossa et al. [6] found that individuals instructed and advised to exercise ventilatory physiotherapy (ventilatory pattern as 1:1, 2:1 and 3:1) and hospital routines in the preoperative period showed lower levels of anxiety compared to individuals who had not received guidance . A pre- and postoperative cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program performed on patients who are awaiting surgery in hospital, showed superior results to standard treatment, reducing postoperative complications and length of hospital stay [22].
In contrast, Brasher et al. [4] concluded that the removal of breathing exercises from routine physiotherapy did not alter significantly the result of the patient. Similarly, Pasquina et al. [28] in a review concluded that there is insufficient evidence about the benefits of any type of prophylactic respiratory therapy after cardiac surgery, and that is broader than has been justified by the results of clinical research.
In patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery, Borghi-Silva et al. [29] demonstrated a high prevalence of spirometric changes in the preoperative and justified the importance of early physiotherapy intervention in reducing the incidence of respiratory complications after the surgery. Similarly, Westerdahl et al. [23] recognized that a mechanical device could help patients to remember to do breathing exercises, and that they found these devices useful and motivating.
The literature suggests that several treatments commonly used by physiotherapists in the postoperative period, including incentive spirometry (IS) may be adequate in meeting the physiological demands of lung re-expansion [30]. The use of IS is performed through slow and deep inspiration from FRC to total lung capacity, followed by sustained inspiration. The use of the device provides a visual feedback to patients, generating better gas flow to the alveoli and increased lung expansion [31]. Thus, it is justified the preemptive use of IS in the period before the procedure, since the individuals presented breathing disorders after surgery.
Some studies have shown that the spirometer volume (SV) develop lower respiratory activity when compared to the spirometer flow (SF). Other authors found that during the use of SV, there is greater mobility of the abdominal cavity, the lower recruitment of accessory muscles of respiration and increased tidal volume when compared to the use of SF [32,33].
Renault et al. [34] aimed to identify the effect of deep breathing exercises (DBE) and SF in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting and found no significant differences in maximal respiratory pressures, spirometric variables and oxygen saturation in patients in the different techniques used.
Tomich et al. [33] compared three breathing exercises: diaphragmatic breathing, SF (Trifle II) and SV (Voldyne). They found that the difference between breathing and diaphragmatic Voldyne was a significant increase in the inspiratory cycle compared to baseline. The Trifle II was associated with increased respiratory rate and electromyographic activity of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, and concluded that diaphragmatic breathing and Voldyne showed similar results, while Trifle II showed disadvantages compared to others. Similarly, results of the Yamaguti et al. [35] suggested that the use of SV and diaphragm exercises seem to be equally effective in the treatment of respiratory disorders, whose therapeutic aim is the development of diaphragmatic motion. This study noted that it is considered an indication of the careful and appropriate type of incentive spirometer to be used in clinical practice. Finally, they found that women presented better performance in all breathing exercises when compared to men.
Agostini et al. [36] concluded that physiotherapy, with or without incentive spirometry reduces the incidence of postoperative complications and improves lung function. However, there is currently no evidence that the use of non-oriented incentive spirometry could replace or significantly increase the work of physiotherapists.
It is known that a dysfunction of respiratory muscles due to surgery may lead to a reduction in vital capacity, tidal volume, total lung capacity and consequent failure of the cough. These low values can cause atelectasis, a risk factor for lung infections, and decreased functional residual capacity, which, in turn, alters the properties of exchange and increased ventilation/perfusion.
Some researchers indicate - in order to prevent postoperative atelectasis - the maintenance of adequate respiratory muscle strength [37]. According Saglam et al. [38], adequate muscle strength preoperatively of thoracic surgery is responsible for increased functional capacity when compared to subjects who had muscle weakness in the period prior to surgery.
The respiratory muscle weakness preoperatively increases the risk of pulmonary complications in the postoperative period and inspiratory muscle training (IMT) can help prevent complications in the postoperative period [33,34].
A study using IMT of linear load based on 30% of PI-max, with a gradual increase in the preoperative period presented reduced pulmonary complications in 50% when compared to studies with patients who underwent physiotherapy without inspiratory muscle training. And therefore, the duration of postoperative hospitalization was significantly lower [39].
The conclusion to this finding, according Feltrim et al. [40], was that IMT has avoided major pulmonary complications because improved strength and endurance of respiratory muscles, but was unable to prevent those of minor grade, whose pathophysiology may be associated with effects but respiratory muscle dysfunction. Thus, the benefit obtained by the reduction of pulmonary complications of greater impact supports the indication of IMT in the preoperative elective surgery of coronary artery bypass grafting in patients at high risk.
There is the possibility of residential programs for inspiratory muscle training, according the study by Ferreira et al. [41], which proved to be safe and resulted in improvement in forced vital capacity and maximum voluntary ventilation, although its clinical benefits are not evident.
FINAL CONSIDERATIONS
The analysis of these studies revealed that the patient care in the preoperative period, information on post-surgical restrictions, technics of bed/chair transfer, and the importance of breathing and physical exercises accelerate the process of postoperative recovery.
As noted, many patients have basal respiratory disorders, which, coupled with anxiety and pain due to surgery, induce changes in respiratory rhythm and pattern. In addition to post-surgical restrictions, the ineffectiveness of the cough has negative influence on the patient's respiratory status.
However, in clinical practice there are controversies about the techniques, making it difficult to decide which resource would be more useful and less expensive in the management of these patients. Several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of breathing exercises with and without the use of devices, when compared to the groups who did not perform exercise.
With regard to respiratory physiotherapy, increasingly required, it is up to the professional to verify the patient's need and the availability of resources and devices, considering the individuality of each patient to perform breathing exercises, as noted, different techniques have similar results.
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