Patient assessment and prevention of pulmonary side-effects in surgery

Predictors for prescription of noninvasive ventilation in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION

The postoperative (PO) period after cardiac surgery is associated with the occurrence of respiratory complications. Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) is largely used as a ventilatory support strategy after the interruption of invasive mechanical ventilation. However, the variables associated with NIPPV prescription are unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the literature on predictors of NIPPV prescription in patients during the PO period of cardiac surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This systematic review was registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) platform in December 2021 (CRD42021291973). Bibliographic searches were performed in February 2022 using the PubMed, Lilacs, Embase and PEDro databases, with no year or language restrictions. The Predictors for the prescription of NIPPV were considered among patients who achieved curative NIPPV.

RESULTS

A total of 349 articles were identified, of which four were deemed eligible and were included in this review. Three studies were retrospective studies, and one was a prospective safety pilot study. The total sample size in each study ranged from 109 to 1657 subjects, with a total of 3456 participants, of whom 283 realized NIPPV. Curative NIPPV was the only form of NIPPV in 75% of the studies, which presented this form of prescription in 5-9% of the total sample size, with men around 65 years old being the majority of the participants receiving curative NIPPV. The main indication for curative NIPPV was acute respiratory failure. Only one study realized prophylactic NIPPV (28% of 32 participants). The main predictors for the prescription of curative NIPPV in the PO period of cardiac surgery observed in this study were elevated body mass index (BMI), hypercapnia, PO lung injury, cardiogenic oedema and pneumonia.

CONCLUSIONS

BMI and lung alterations related to gas exchange disturbances are major predictors for NIPPV prescription in patients during the PO period of cardiac surgery. The identification of these predictors can benefit clinical decision-making regarding the prescription of NIPPV and help conserve human and material resources, thereby preventing the indiscriminate use of NIPPV.

Cardiovascular Physiotherapy on Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia of Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Introduction: Patients in the postoperative period of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) present respiratory and autonomic dysfunctions. In this sense, cardiovascular physiotherapy has been offered as an indispensable differential for the improvement of the prognosis of this population. Heart rate variability is a simple, noninvasive method to analyze autonomic modulation, as well as the accentuation maneuver of respiratory sinus arrhythmia, which demonstrates the parasympathetic autonomic control over the heart. Five patients undergoing cardiac surgery performed a protocol of cardiovascular physiotherapy in the postoperative period and had their data referring to the preoperative period, the 1st and 4th postoperative days analyzed.

Respiratory physiotherapy in intensive care unit: Bibliographic review

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS

Patients in intensive care unit are susceptible to complications due to different causes (underlying disease, immobilisation, infection risk…) The current main intervention in order to prevent these complications is respiratory physiotherapy, a common practice for nurses on a daily basis. Therefore, we decided to carry out this bibliographic review to describe the most efficient respiratory physiotherapy methods for the prevention and treatment of lung complications in patients in intensive care, taking into account the differences between intubated and non-intubated patients.

METHODOLOGY

The bibliographic narrative review was carried out on literature available in Pubmed, Cinahl and Cochrane Library. The established limits were language, evidence over the last 15 years and age.

RESULTS

Techniques involving lung expansion, cough, vibration, percussion, postural drainage, incentive inspirometry and oscillatory and non-oscillatory systems are controversial regarding their efficacy as respiratory physiotherapy methods. However, non-invasive mechanical ventilation shows clear benefits. In the case of intubated patients, manual hyperinflation and secretion aspirations are highly efficient methods for the prevention of the potential complications mentioned above. In this case, other RP methods showed no clear efficiency when used individually.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Non-invasive mechanical ventilation (for non-intubated patients) and manual hyperinflation (for intubated patients) proved to be the respiratory physiotherapy methods with the best results. The other techniques are more controversial and the results are not so clear. In both types of patients this literature review suggests that combined therapy is the most efficient.

Efeito do treinamento muscular inspiratório em pacientes submetidos à cirurgia bariátrica: uma revisão sistemática

RESUMO Estudos têm demonstrado que, dentre as diversas técnicas que envolvem a fisioterapia respiratória, o treinamento muscular inspiratório (TMI) é essencial na recuperação da função pulmonar e na prevenção de complicações respiratórias. Porém, o efeito do TMI em pacientes submetidos à cirurgia bariátrica ainda é inconclusivo. O objetivo deste estudo foi revisar sistematicamente ensaios clínicos randomizados que avaliaram o efeito do TMI em comparação a TMI sham, fisioterapia convencional (exercícios respiratórios e deambulação precoce) ou nenhuma intervenção na função pulmonar em pacientes submetidos à cirurgia bariátrica. A estratégia de busca foi realizada nas bases de dados PubMed / MEDLINE, Cochrane, TRIP, PEDro e Scopus sem restrição de ano de publicação ou de idioma, conforme a recomendação PRISMA. Dois revisores selecionaram os estudos, extraíram os dados e avaliaram o risco de viés de forma independente. Dos 2.184 estudos potencialmente elegíveis, 2 foram incluídos. O critério do risco de viés foi adaptado e dividido em 9 áreas usando o Handbook da Cochrane. Esta revisão incluiu 62 participantes, sendo 30 alocados para receber dispositivo Threshold® TMI, mas em diferentes períodos, pré-operatório e pós-operatório. O TMI promoveu aumento da pressão inspiratória máxima (PIM) em relação à fisioterapia convencional, mas não foram encontradas diferenças significativas na pressão expiratória máxima (PEM). Os estudos apresentaram baixo e incerto risco de viés. O TMI parece ser o tratamento mais eficaz em comparação à fisioterapia convencional isolada tanto no pré quanto no pós-operatório. No entanto, não há nenhuma evidência sólida para a tomada de decisões clínicas.

Pulmonary complications after abdominal surgery in patients with mild-to-moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) are one of the most important causes of postoperative morbidity and mortality after abdominal surgery. Although chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been considered a risk factor for PPCs, it remains unclear whether mild-to-moderate COPD is a risk factor. This retrospective cohort study included 387 subjects who underwent abdominal surgery with general anesthesia in a tertiary referral hospital. PPCs included pneumonia, pulmonary edema, pulmonary thromboembolism, atelectasis, and acute exacerbation of COPD. Among the 387 subjects, PPCs developed in 14 (12.0%) of 117 patients with mild-to-moderate COPD and in 13 (15.1%) of 86 control patients. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that mild-to-moderate COPD was not a significant risk factor for PPCs (odds ratio [OR] =0.79; 95% confidence interval [CI] =0.31-2.03; P=0.628). However, previous hospitalization for respiratory problems (OR =4.20; 95% CI =1.52-11.59), emergency surgery (OR =3.93; 95% CI =1.75-8.82), increased amount of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion (OR =1.09; 95% CI =1.05-1.14 for one pack increase of RBC transfusion), and laparoscopic surgery (OR =0.41; 95% CI =0.18-0.93) were independent predictors of PPCs. These findings suggested that mild-to-moderate COPD may not be a significant risk factor for PPCs after abdominal surgery.

Impact of respiratory therapy in vital capacity and functionality of patients undergoing abdominal surgery

Objective

To evaluate the vital capacity after two chest therapy techniques in patients undergoing abdominal surgical.

Methods

A prospective randomized study carried out with patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit after abdominal surgery. We checked vital capacity, muscular strength using the Medical Research Council scale, and functionality with the Functional Independence Measure the first time the patient was breathing spontaneously (D1), and also upon discharge from the Intensive Care Unit (Ddis). Between D1 and Ddis, respiratory therapy was carried out according to the randomized group.

Results

We included 38 patients, 20 randomized to Positive Intermittent Pressure Group and 18 to Volumetric Incentive Spirometer Group. There was no significant gain related to vital capacity of D1 and Ddis of Positive Intermittent Pressure Group (mean 1,410mL±547.2 versus 1,809mL±692.3; p=0.979), as in the Volumetric Incentive Spirometer Group (1,408.3mL±419.1 versus 1,838.8mL±621.3; p=0.889). We observed a significant improvement in vital capacity in D1 (p<0.001) and Ddis (p<0.001) and in the Functional Independence Measure (p<0.001) after respiratory therapy. The vital capacity improvement was not associated with gain of muscle strength.

Conclusion

Chest therapy, with positive pressure and volumetric incentive spirometer, was effective in improving vital capacity of patients submitted to abdominal surgery.

What are the factors influencing outcome among patients admitted to a hospital with a proximal humeral fracture?

BACKGROUND

Fracture of the proximal humerus is common in older patients during the decline of their physical health.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

Our purpose was to evaluate the association between specific risk factors in patients with fractures of the proximal humerus and any inpatient adverse events, mortality, and discharge to a short-term or long-term care facility.

METHODS

The National Hospital Discharge Survey (NHDS) provided estimates of all adult patients who were admitted to hospitals after fractures of the proximal humerus in the United States between 1990 and 2007. The influences of sex, age, days of care, diagnosis and procedures (based on ICD-9 codes) on inpatient adverse events and death, and discharge to a short-term or long-term care facility, were studied in bivariate and multivariable analyses.

RESULTS

Among an estimated 867,282 patients admitted for proximal humerus fractures, 20% experienced adverse events, and 2.3% died in the hospital. Older age, concomitant femur and femoral neck fractures or head trauma, operative fracture care, congestive heart failure, and chronic alcoholism were associated with inpatient adverse events. Intubation, acute myocardial infarctions, malignancies, and skull fractures were associated with inpatient deaths. Older age, lower limb fractures, specific comorbidities (obesity, congestive heart failure, dementia), and inpatient adverse events (pneumonia, anemia treated with transfusion) were associated with discharges to short-term or long-term care facilities.

CONCLUSIONS

Knowledge of risk factors for inpatient adverse events, mortality, and discharge to facilities can help make treatment decisions, improve overall care, discharge planning, and resource utilization for patients with proximal humeral fractures.

Fisioterapia respiratória associada à pressão positiva nas vias aéreas na evolução pós-operatória da cirurgia bariátrica

Analisar volume corrente (VC), volume minuto (VM) e frequência respiratória (FR) de obesas mórbidas no pós-operatório de cirurgia bariátrica (CB), após a fisioterapia respiratória convencional (FRC) associada ou não à pressão positiva contínua nas vias aéreas (CPAP) no pré-operatório. Foram estudadas 36 mulheres, com idade de 40,1±8,41 anos, que seriam submetidas à CB por laparotomia e que realizaram FRC (exercícios respiratórios diafragmáticos, de inspirações profundas, fracionadas e associados a movimentos de membros superiores, 1 série de 10 repetições de cada exercício) por 30 dias antes da cirurgia. Após internação, 18 delas foram submetidas a 20 minutos de CPAP, 1 hora antes da indução anestésica e compuseram o grupo FRC+CPAP. As outras 18 não receberam o CPAP e compuseram o grupo FRC. Foram avaliados VM, VC e FR por meio do ventilômetro, no momento da internação e 24 horas após a realização da cirurgia. Constatou-se que as medidas de VC, VM e FR não apresentaram significância estatística quando comparados os resultados do pré e pós-operatório em ambos os grupos, bem como quando comparados os dois grupos entre si tanto no pré como no pós-operatório. Os resultados sugerem que a tanto a aplicação da FRC como a aplicação da FRC+CPAP no período pré-operatório contribui para a manutenção das variáveis respiratórias no pós-operatório. A aplicação do CPAP antes da indução anestésica não promoveu benefícios adicionais no pós-operatório de CB no que se refere aos volumes pulmonares.

Bronchial asthma

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The aim of this review is to underline the need for an adequate clinical and functional evaluation of respiratory function and asthma control in patients undergoing surgical procedures requiring general anesthesia to obtain useful information for an adequate preoperative pharmacological approach.

RECENT FINDINGS

It has been shown that baseline uncontrolled clinical/functional conditions of airways represent the most important risk factors for perioperative bronchospasm. In nonemergency conditions, asthma patients should undergo clinical/functional assessment at least 1 week before the surgery intervention to obtain, the better feasible control of asthma symptoms in the single patient. Some simple preoperative information given by the patient in preoperative consultation may be sufficient to identify individuals with uncontrolled or poor controlled asthmatic conditions. Spirometric evaluation is essential in individuals with poor control of symptoms, as well as in those patients with uncertain anamnestic data or limited perception of respiratory symptoms, and in those requiring lung resection.

SUMMARY

A better control of asthma must be considered the 'gold standard' for a patient at 'a reasonable low risk' to develop perioperative/postoperative bronchospasm. International consensus promoted by pulmonologists, anesthesiologists, and allergists might be useful to define a better diagnostic and therapeutic approach.

Longitudinal evaluation the pulmonary function of the pre and postoperative periods in the coronary artery bypass graft surgery of patients treated with a physiotherapy protocol

Background

The treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD) seeks to reduce or prevent its complications and decrease morbidity and mortality. For certain subgroups of patients, coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) may accomplish these goals. The objective of this study was to assess the pulmonary function in the CABG postoperative period of patients treated with a physiotherapy protocol.

Methods

Forty-two volunteers with an average age of 63 ± 2 years were included and separated into three groups: healthy volunteers (n = 09), patients with CAD (n = 9) and patients who underwent CABG (n = 20). Patients from the CABG group received preoperative and postoperative evaluations on days 3, 6, 15 and 30. Patients from the CAD group had evaluations on days 1 and 30 of the study, and the healthy volunteers were evaluated on day 1. Pulmonary function was evaluated by measuring forced vital capacity (FVC), maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) and Maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP).

Results

After CABG, there was a significant decrease in pulmonary function (p < 0.05), which was the worst on postoperative day 3 and returned to the preoperative baseline on postoperative day 30.

Conclusion

Pulmonary function decreased after CABG. Pulmonary function was the worst on postoperative day 3 and began to improve on postoperative day 15. Pulmonary function returned to the preoperative baseline on postoperative day 30.