Research involving PUCRS Hospital patients published in US journal
A study involving 58 postoperative cardiac surgery patients of PUCRS’ São Lucas Hospital (HSL) has been published in the Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention. The article Inspiratory Muscle Training After Heart Valve Replacement Surgery Improves Inspiratory Muscle Strength, Lung Function, and Functional Capacity was jointly written by Intensive Care Unit physical therapist, Camila Cargnin, and by cardiologist João Carlos Vieira da Costa Guaragna, Head of the Cardiac Surgery Post-Operation Unit.
The research was developed as Camila was working on her graduate degree and was approved by HSL’s Institutional Review Board in 2012. The study evaluated the use of a device to assist in the rehabilitation process in these individuals. The inspiratory muscle training device (IMT), known as POWERBreathe, is used to strengthen muscles.
The results show an improvement of the IMT inspiratory muscle strength and lung function values: both are in line with the levels observed in the pre-operation stage. Additionally, it has improved the functions and functional capacity of patients undergoing cardiac valve surgery, at levels higher than those commonly found at the pre-operation stage. “These results were observed only four weeks after surgery, and no adverse effects have been produced. In addition, researchers have found a correlation between respiratory function and functional capacity. The way we see it, it is safe to use IMT in the postoperative rehabilitation process as it can bring about important clinical benefits, once recovery is better and faster in these patients“, she says.
