3 : It is suggested that deep breathing exercises provide the same benefit as incentive spirometry in the preoperative and postoperative setting to prevent postoperative pulmonary complications .
[Incentive spirometry with expiratory positive airway pressure brings benefits after myocardial revascularization].
BACKGROUND Patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft ( CABG ) surgery  have higher risk to develop pulmonary complications ( PCs ) such as atelectasis , pneumonia and pleural effusion . These complications could increase the length of hospital stay , re sources utilization and also are associated with reduced quality of life and functional capacity a long term . OBJECTIVE To test if the use of incentive spirometry ( IS ) associated with expiratory positive airway pressure ( EPAP ) , after CABG surgery improves dyspnea , effort perceived and quality of life 18 months after CABG . METHODS Sixteen patients su bmi tted to a CABG , were r and omized to a control group ( n=8 ) or IS+EPAP group ( n=8 ) . The protocol of IS+EPAP was applied in the immediate postoperative period and following for more 4 weeks in the patient 's home . Eighteen months after CABG , the strength of the respiratory muscle , the functional capacity , the lung function , the quality of life and the level of physical activity were evaluated . RESULTS After six minute walk test ( 6-MWT ) , the score of the dyspnea ( 1.6+/-0.6 vs 0.6+/-0.3 , P<0.05 ) and the perceived effort ( 13.4+/-1.2 vs 9.1+/-0.7 , P<0.05 ) were higher in the control group , when compared with the IS+EPAP group . In quality of life evaluation , the domain related to the physical aspects limitations was better in IS+EPAP group ( 93.7+/-4.1 vs 50+/-17 , P<0.02 ) . CONCLUSION Patients that were su bmi tted to IS+EPAP present reduction of dyspnea and lower effort sensation after the 6-MWT , and also a better quality of life 18 months after CABG
3 : It is suggested that deep breathing exercises provide the same benefit as incentive spirometry in the preoperative and postoperative setting to prevent postoperative pulmonary complications .