PURPOSE: To determine current Canadian physical therapy practice for adult patients requiring routine care following cardiac surgery. METHODS: A telephone survey was conducted of a selected sample (n=18) of Canadian hospitals performing cardiac surgery to determine cardiorespiratory care, mobility, exercises, and education provided to patients undergoing cardiac surgery. RESULTS: An average of 21 cardiac surgeries per week (range: 6-42) were performed, with an average length of stay of 6.4 days (range: 4.0-10.6). Patients were seen preoperatively at 7 of 18 sites and on postoperative day 1 (POD-1) at 16 of 18 sites. On POD-1, 16 sites performed deep breathing and coughing, 7 used incentive spirometers, 13 did upper-extremity exercises, and 12 did lower-extremity exercises. Nine sites provided cardiorespiratory treatment on POD-3. On POD-1, patients were dangled at 17 sites and mobilized out of bed at 13. By POD-3, patients ambulated 50-120 m per session 2-5 times per day. Sternal precautions were variable, but the lifting limit was reported as ranging between 5 lb and 10 lb. CONCLUSIONS: Canadian physical therapists reported the provision of cardiorespiratory treatment after POD-1. According to current available evidence, this level of care may be unnecessary for uncomplicated patients following cardiac surgery. In addition, some sites provide cardiorespiratory treatment techniques that are not supported by evidence in the literature. Further research is required.
PURPOSE: To determine current Canadian physical therapy practice for adult patients requiring routine care following cardiac surgery. METHODS: A telephone survey was conducted of a selected sample (n=18) of Canadian hospitals performing cardiac surgery to determine cardiorespiratory care, mobility, exercises, and education provided to patients undergoing cardiac surgery. RESULTS: An average of 21 cardiac surgeries per week (range: 6-42) were performed, with an average length of stay of 6.4 days (range: 4.0-10.6). Patients were seen preoperatively at 7 of 18 sites and on postoperative day 1 (POD-1) at 16 of 18 sites. On POD-1, 16 sites performed deep breathing and coughing, 7 used incentive spirometers, 13 did upper-extremity exercises, and 12 did lower-extremity exercises. Nine sites provided cardiorespiratory treatment on POD-3. On POD-1, patients were dangled at 17 sites and mobilized out of bed at 13. By POD-3, patients ambulated 50-120 m per session 2-5 times per day. Sternal precautions were variable, but the lifting limit was reported as ranging between 5 lb and 10 lb. CONCLUSIONS: Canadian physical therapists reported the provision of cardiorespiratory treatment after POD-1. According to current available evidence, this level of care may be unnecessary for uncomplicated patients following cardiac surgery. In addition, some sites provide cardiorespiratory treatment techniques that are not supported by evidence in the literature. Further research is required.
Authors: R Parker; J L Adams; G Ogola; D McBrayer; J M Hubbard; T L McCullough; J M Hartman; T Cleveland Journal: Thorac Cardiovasc Surg Date: 2008-06 Impact factor: 1.827
Authors: Jenny Adams; Ana Lotshaw; Emelia Exum; Mark Campbell; Cathy B Spranger; Jim Beveridge; Shawn Baker; Stephanie McCray; Tim Bilbrey; Tiffany Shock; Anne Lawrence; Baron L Hamman; Jeffrey M Schussler Journal: Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent) Date: 2016-01
Authors: Anastasia N L Newman; Michelle E Kho; Jocelyn E Harris; Alison Fox-Robichaud; Patricia Solomon Journal: Physiother Can Date: 2021-06-07 Impact factor: 1.037
Authors: Md Ali Katijjahbe; Linda Denehy; Catherine L Granger; Alistair Royse; Colin Royse; Rebecca Bates; Sarah Logie; Sandy Clarke; Doa El-Ansary Journal: Trials Date: 2017-06-23 Impact factor: 2.279
Authors: Stana Pačarić; Tajana Turk; Ivan Erić; Želimir Orkić; Anamarija Petek Erić; Andrea Milostić-Srb; Nikolina Farčić; Ivana Barać; Ana Nemčić Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-02-22 Impact factor: 3.390