Recovery of Vital Capacity after Cardiac Surgery: Recovery Trend and the Effectiveness of Incentive Spirometry

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to clarify recovery trend of slow vital capacity (SVC) and the SVC recovery related factors, and to determine the effect of incentive spirometry on SVC recovery after cardiac surgery. Of the 120 patients who underwent cardiac surgery via sternotomy, 60 patients participated in study 1, and the other 60 patients participated in study 2. In study 2, the patients completed a prospective randomized controlled study comparing two physiotherapy protocols. All patients received instruction in supported huffing and coughing and the importance of early mobilization. Group C patients received no additional physiotherapy. Group IS patients received instruction in deep breathing exercise using an incentive spirometry preoperatively and assistance in performing the same for one week postoperatively. Mean SVC value at the first day after the operation decreased to about 48% of the SVC preoperative value and the SVC did not recover to the postoperative value three weeks after operation. Recovery of SVC (%SVC) was not influenced by the age, period of operation, type of operation, sex, and smoking history. However, significant differences of SVC recovery were found between class Ⅱ and class Ⅲ in the preoperative NYHA classification. Moreover, the negative correlation was partially found between % SVC and the recovery of walking ability. There was no difference in SVC recovery and the incidence of respiratory complication between group IS and group C in study 2. We concluded that there was no effect of incentive spirometry on SVC recovery after cardiac surgery.