Effectiveness of Incentive Spirometer and Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercise on ABG Measures in Post-CABG Patients

The rate of pulmonary complications following Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) is high. Early pulmonary exercises are important in preventing this complication following cardiac surgery. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of incentive spirometer (IS) and diaphragmatic breathing exercise (DBE) on the alteration of arterial blood gas (ABG) measures. The study was based on a two-arm, parallel-group, randomized comparative design. Thirty patients who underwent CABG enrolled in the study based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, randomly allocated into either of the groups, IS Group or DBE Group. IS Group and DBE Group underwent chest physiotherapy with IS and DBE, respectively. ABG measures, including PH of blood, partial pressure of arterial oxygen molecule (PaO2), and partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2), was assessed using an ABG analyzer at baseline (pre-operation), day1 post-operation, and day2 post-operation. The significance level was kept constant for all statistical analyses at 95%.

Inclusion Criteria:The patient with post-CABG,Aged between 40 and 60 years,Had forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) <70% of predicted value,Showed FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio >0.8,Weight equal or exceeded the ideal body weight by less than 20%, andPatient co-operation.Exclusion Criteria:Aged more than 60 years,Weight equal or exceeded the ideal body weight by more than 20%,Post-operative respiratory treatment exceeding 20 hours,History of Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) /thoracic surgery including CABG,had thoracic anomalies/unstable angina,Developed hemodynamic complication, andNon-cooperative/neurological debilitated patient.