INFLUENCE OF EARLY MOBILIZATION ON EXTERNAL RESPIRATORY FUNCTION IN CARDIAC SURGERY PATIENTS

Aim. To investigate and compare the effectiveness of early mobilization approaches on external respiratory function in cardiac surgery patients. Materials and methods. The study involved 90 patients, who were split up into two groups according to the specifics of early mobilization. The first group of patients (n=49) received earlier mobilization, which was determined by the day of the surgery (Monday or Tuesday) and, therefore, was independent of the researchers. On the first postoperative day, all the patients of this group performed standing and, if possible, walking in place with the help of a physical therapist. The second group of patients (n=41) received less early mobilization, since all the patients were operated on Friday. On the first postoperative day, all the patients of the second group performed sitting on a bed (with the assistance of medical personnel). Other elements of early mobilization (walking in the ward and corridor) were also performed earlier in the first group. Other characteristics of physical therapy (therapeutic and breathing exercises) did not differ between the groups. Patient histories (demographic data, anthropometric indicators, protocols of research and operations) were analyzed. Spirography was performed before the surgery and on the seventh postoperative day. Results. The groups had no statistical differences in terms of patient age, anthropometric parameters, body mass index, left ventricular ejection fraction, durations of the surgery, artificial blood circulation, artificial lung ventilation, anesthesia and aortic clamping. The analysis of the preoperative spirography results did not reveal any significant differences between the examined groups of patients. Most of the key spirography indicators decreased during re-examination. The second group demonstrated a significant increase in respiratory volume, and the first group showed a significant increase in respiratory rate. Minute ventilation increased statistically in both groups. At the same time, the postoperative results of external respiratory function assessment were the same in both groups. This confirms the lack of influence of standing on the first postoperative day and other elements of early mobilization, which were performed statistically earlier in the first group, on the dynamics of external respiratory function recovery. Conclusions. Approaches to early mobilization of cardiac surgery patients are equally effective in terms of external respiratory function indicators.