Abstract Background: Participating in therapeutic operative groups with nutritional and psychological interventions might influence the recovery of patients in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation programs. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of group interventions on the nutritional profile, stress, and quality of life of patients in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation. Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, adult patients of the Cardiopulmonary and Metabolic Rehabilitation (CPMR) unit were randomized into control group (CG), receiving standard follow-up assessment by the CPMR unit, and intervention group (IG), which additionally participated in 6 meetings of an interdisciplinary group with a nutritionist and a psychologist. Anthropometric data and results from a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), Lipp's Inventory of Stress Symptoms for Adults (ISSL), and the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) were analyzed. Student's t-tests, Generalized Estimation Equations (GEE), Mann-Whitney tests, and Bonferroni tests were used for statistical analyses, with a significance level of 5%. Results: The sample consisted of 76 patients: 31 in the IG (64±9.2 years old) and 45 in the CG (61.4±11.8 years old). There was a significant reduction (p<0.001) in weight, body mass index, and waist circumference, and an increase (p=0.010) in the consumption of healthy food only in the IG. The consumption of unhealthy food was reduced in both groups (p<0.001), the physical aspect of quality of life improved (p=0.018), and women presented better physical (p=0.011) and mental results (p=0.008). Conclusions: This group intervention was effective regarding the nutritional status of patients in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation. The physical aspect of quality of life showed improvements in both groups.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The pleural drain insertion site after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery may alter lung function, especially respiratory muscle strength. The main objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness and safety of use of the left lateral intercostal region versus the subxiphoid position for pleural drainage during elective CABG surgery using extracorporeal circulation (ECC). DESIGN AND SETTING: Randomized trial conducted in a tertiary-level hospital in Porto Alegre, Brazil. METHODS: 48 patients were assigned to group 1 (pleural drain in the left lateral intercostal region) or group 2 (pleural drain in the subxiphoid position). Respiratory muscle strength was measured in terms of maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), in cmH2O, by means of manovacuometry preoperatively, 24 and 72 hours after drain removal and before discharge from hospital. Painand dyspnea scales, presence of infections, pleural effusion and atelectasis, duration of drain use, drainage volumes and surgical reinterventions were also evaluated. RESULTS: After adjustments, there were no significant differences between the groups at the end of the study (before discharge), in predicted percentages either for MIP (delta group 1: -17.21% versus delta group 2: -22.26%; P = 0.09) or for MEP (delta group 1: -9.38% versus delta group 2: -13.13%; P = 0.17). Therewere no differences between the groups in relation to other outcomes. CONCLUSION: There was no difference in maximal respiratory pressures in relation to the pleural drain insertion site among patients who underwent CABG surgery using ECC. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ReBEc V1111.1159.4447.

Abstract Objective: Evaluate the interaction between high-intensity inspiratory muscle training (IMT) and aerobic exercise on physical capacity, respiratory muscle strength, peripheral muscle strength, and quality of life of patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods: Twenty-four patients underwent CABG were randomized into two groups. During 36 sessions, one group received IMT associated with aerobic exercise and the other group received only aerobic exercise. Primary outcome was the distance in the six-minute walk distance (6MWD) test. Secondary outcomes included respiratory muscle strength, peripheral muscle strength, and quality of life. Measures were taken at the baseline, at the 12th session, the 24th session, and 36th session. Results: Baseline characteristics were similar between the groups. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in any outcome [6MWD - P=0.935; peak oxygen consumption (PeakVO2) - P=0.853; maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) - P=0.243; maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) - P=0.268; sitting-rising test (SRT) - P=0.212], but there was interaction in MIP (P=0.000) and all outcomes improved in the two groups (6MWD - P=0.000; PeakVO2 - P=0.000; MIP - P=0.000; MEP - P=0.000; SRT - P=0.000). Conclusion: There was an improvement of all outcomes in both groups, but IMT was not able to provide additional benefits. The use of this combination should be used with caution to not generate higher costs in the rehabilitation process of these patients.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os efeitos da estimulação elétrica nervosa transcutânea (TENS) sobre a dor e a função pulmonar no pós-operatório de cirurgias torácicas por meio de uma revisão sistemática e metanálise de estudos randomizados. MÉTODOS: A busca incluiu as bases MEDLINE, PEDro, Cochrane CENTRAL, EMBASE e LILACS, além de busca manual, do início até agosto de 2011. Foram incluídos estudos randomizados comparando TENS associada ou não a analgesia farmacológica vs. TENS placebo associada ou não a analgesia farmacológica ou vs. analgesia farmacológica controlada, que avaliaram dor (por meio de escala analógica visual - EAV) e/ou função pulmonar representada pela capacidade vital forçada (CVF) em pacientes no pós-operatório de cirurgia torácica (pulmonar ou cardíaca com abordagem por toracotomia ou esternotomia). RESULTADOS: Dos 2.489 artigos identificados, 11 estudos foram incluídos. Na abordagem por toracotomia, a TENS associada à analgesia farmacológica reduziu a dor comparada com TENS placebo associada à analgesia farmacológica (EAV -1,29; IC95%: -1,94 a - 0,65). Na abordagem por esternotomia, a TENS associada à analgesia farmacológica também reduziu a dor comparada a TENS placebo associada à analgesia farmacológica (EAV -1,33; IC95%: -1,89 a -0,77) e comparada à analgesia farmacológica controlada (EAV-1,23; IC95%: -1,79 a -0,67). Não foi observada melhora significativa na CVF (0,12 L; IC95%: -0,27 a 0,51). CONCLUSÃO: A TENS associada à analgesia farmacológica promoveu maior alívio da dor comparada a TENS placebo em pacientes em pós-operatório de cirurgia torácica, tanto na abordagem por toracotomia quanto por esternotomia. Na esternotomia, também se mostrou mais efetiva que a analgesia farmacológica controlada no alívio da dor, porém sem efeito significativo na função pulmonar.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) on pain and pulmonary function during the postoperative period after thoracic surgery by performing a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials. METHODS: The search strategy included MEDLINE, PEDro, Cochrane CENTRAL, EMBASE and LILACS, besides a manual search, from inception to August, 2011. Randomized trials were included, comparing TENS associated or not with pharmacological analgesia vs. placebo TENS associated or not with pharmacological analgesia or vs. pharmacological analgesia alone to assess pain (visual analog scale - VAS) and/or pulmonary function represented by forced vital capacity (FVC) in postoperative thoracic surgery patients (pulmonary or cardiac with approach by thoracotomy or sternotomy). RESULTS: Of the 2.489 articles identified, 11 studies were included. In the approach by thoracotomy, TENS associated with pharmacological analgesia reduced pain compared to the placebo TENS associated with pharmacological analgesia (VAS -1.29; CI95%: -1.94 to - 0.65). In the approach by sternotomy, TENS associated with pharmacological analgesia also reduced pain compared to the placebo TENS associated with pharmacological analgesia (VAS -1.33; 95%CI: -1.89 to 0.77) and compared to pharmacological analgesia alone (VAS -1.23; 95%CI: -1.79 to -0.67). There was no significant improvement in FVC (0.12 L; 95%CI: -0.27 to 0.51). CONCLUSION: TENS associated with pharmacological analgesia provides pain relief compared to the placebo TENS in postoperative thoracic surgery patients both approached by thoracotomy and sternotomy. In the sternotomy it also provides more effective pain relief compared to pharmacological analgesia alone, but has no significant effect on pulmonary function.

INTRODUÇÃO: O transplante cardíaco é atualmente a única alternativa cirúrgica amplamente aceita para tratar pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca (IC) grave que a terapia medicamentosa otimizada não consiga manter qualidade de vida adequada. OBJETIVO: Descrever e comparar os valores entre pré e pós-operatório, das capacidades física e pulmonar de pacientes que realizaram transplante cardíaco. MÉTODOS: Estudo de coorte retrospectivo composto por indivíduos submetidos ao transplante cardíaco, entre janeiro de 2001 a março de 2005, no IC-FUC/RS. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos na análise 21 indivíduos. Observou-se redução dos valores de volumes e capacidades pulmonares (VEF1 e CVF) no 1º dia de pós-operatório em relação ao pré-operatório (P<0,001) e recuperação destes valores no 14º dia de pós-operatório (P<0,001). Os valores de força muscular inspiratória demonstraram tendências semelhantes, reduzindo no 1º dia de pós-operatório em relação ao pré-operatório (P< 0,001) e recuperando no 14º pós-operatório (P< 0,001). A capacidade funcional útil, mensurada por meio do teste de caminhada de 6 minutos (T6') mostrou melhora no 14º pós-operatório em relação ao pré-operatório (P< 0,001). CONCLUSÃO: Alterações na função ventilatória de indivíduos submetidos a transplante cardíaco são previsíveis, porém estes recuperam a força de músculos ventilatórios e capacidades pulmonares dentro de duas semanas, além de melhorar a capacidade funcional útil em relação ao préoperatório, sendo o transplante, quando indicado, associado à reabilitação funcional boa estratégia terapêutica.

INTRODUCTION: Heart transplantation is currently the only widely accepted surgical alternative to treat patients with severe heart failure (HF) drug therapy cannot maintain optimal quality of life appropriate. OBJECTIVE: To describe and to compare the values between pre-and postoperative physical capacity and pulmonary patients who underwent heart transplantation. METHODS: A retrospective cohort composed of patients undergoing heart transplantation between January 2001 to March 2005 in IC-FUC/RS. RESULTS: Were included in the 21 individuals. We observed decreased levels of volume and lung capacity (FEV1 and FVC) in the first days after surgery compared to preoperatively (P <0.001) and recovery of these values in the 14th postoperative day (P <0.001). The values of muscle strength showed similar trends in reducing post-operative period compared to preoperative (P <0.001) and recovered on the 14th postoperative day (P <0.001). A useful functional capacity, measured by testing 6-minute walk test (T6') showed improvement in the 14th postoperative day in relation to pre-operatively (P <0.001). CONCLUSION: Changes in ventilatory function of subjects undergoing cardiac transplantation are predictable, but these recover respiratory muscle strength and lung capacity within two weeks, and improve functional capacity useful in relation to pre-operative, the transplantation, when indicated, associated with good functional rehabilitation is very god treatment strategy.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o perfil ventilatório, radiológico e clínico dos pacientes submetidos a cirurgia eletiva de revascularização do miocárdio em hospital de referência em cardiologia no sul do Brasil. MÉTODOS: A amostra foi composta por 108 indivíduos submetidos a cirurgia eletiva de revascularização do miocárdio no Instituto de Cardiologia do Rio Grande do Sul (IC-FUC), no período de abril de 2006 a fevereiro de 2007. A abordagem cirúrgica realizada foi a da esternotomia mediana e os enxertos foram com ponte de safena e/ou artéria mamária interna. Os volumes e capacidades pulmonares, bem como a presença de distúrbios ventilatórios, foram avaliados por meio da espirometria e a força muscular ventilatória da manovacuometria. As avaliações foram realizadas no período pré-operatório e no sexto dia de pós-operatório. RESULTADOS: Observou-se redução significativa do VEF1 e da CVF quando comparados os valores pré-operatórios com os do sexto dia de pós-operatório (P<0,001). O mesmo ocorreu com a força muscular ventilatória expressa em PiMáx e PeMáx do pré para o 6º dia de pós-operatório (P<0,001). A incidência de complicações pulmonares na amostra foi maior no 6º dia de pós-operatório (78%) quando comparados ao 1º dia de pós-operatório (40%). CONCLUSÃO: Pacientes submetidos a cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio apresentam redução importante nos volumes e capacidades pulmonares, assim como da força muscular ventilatória no período pós-operatório.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the ventilatory, radiological and clinical profile of patients undergoing elective CABG in a cardiology reference hospital in South Brazil. METHODS: This study included 108 patients undergoing elective CABG surgery, in the period between April 2006 and February 2007 at the Cardiology Institute of Rio Grande do Sul (IC-FUC). The surgical procedure involved median sternotomy, and the saphenous vein and/or internal mammary artery were used for grafting. Lung volume and capacity, as well as the possible existence of ventilatory changes, were assessed by spirometry, and the ventilatory muscle strength was assessed using a vaccum manometer. All evaluations were performed on the preoperative period and on the sixth postoperative day. RESULTS: Preoperative levels of FEV1 and FVC were significantly reduced on the 6th postoperative day (P<0.001) when compared to the preoperative levels. A significant decrease of ventilatory muscle strength, expressed as maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressures (MIP and MEP), was also observed from the pre- to the sixth postoperative day (P<0.001). Pulmonary events were more frequent on the 6th postoperative day (78%) than on the 1st postoperative day (40%). CONCLUSION: Patients undergone CABG surgery present important reduction in pulmonary volume and capacity, as well as on the ventilatory muscle strength during the postoperative period.