Comparative Effectiveness of Preoperative Segmental Breathing Exercise Versus Conventional Treatment for Reduction of Duration of Mechanical Ventilation in Post Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Patients

To compare the effectiveness of segmental breathing exercise and conventional treatment in reduction of duration of mechanical ventilation following coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). Bypass grafting of the coronary arteries involves using healthy arteries from the arm, chest, or legs to create a bypass around a blocked artery. Cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, which uses a heart–lung machine, artificially sustains oxygenation and blood circulation. Post-operative pulmonary difficulties from heart–lung machines can result in post-operative morbidity and mortality, which can affect hospital length of stay and health care resources. In a prospective, randomized clinical trial, sixty patients with elective CABG procedures were evaluated at the National Hospital and Medical Centre Lahore. Upon admission, all patients underwent a six-minute walk test (6MWT). A second group was formed by splitting the subjects into two. A respiratory muscle exercise program was conducted by Group I while standard preoperative care was provided by Group 2. 6MWT were repeated the day before surgery (pre-operative) and after discharge (post-operative). Postoperative mechanical ventilation, oxygen therapy, and hospitalization length were recorded as research outcomes. According to the pre- and postoperative readings, p value (0.481) indicated interventional group had a better performance on the 6MWT compared to the control group. The p value indicated (0.241) showed shorter postoperative hospital stays, p value 0.205 indicated shorter oxygen therapy duration, and p value 0.001 showed reduced mechanical ventilation duration in the interventional group than in the control group. The findings demonstrated that segmental breathing exercise lowers hospital stays and improves postoperative functional capacity.