ABSTRACT Objective: This study aims to investigate the ability of the six-minute walk distance (6MWD) as a prognostic marker for midterm clinical outcomes three months after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), to identify possible predictors of fall in 6MWD in the early postoperative period, and to establish the percentage fall in early postoperative 6MWD, considering the preoperative baseline as 100%. Methods: A prospective cohort of patients undergoing elective CABG were included. The percentage fall in 6MWD was assessed by the difference between preoperative and postoperative day (POD) five. Clinical outcomes were evaluated three months after hospital discharge. Results: There was a significant decrease in 6MWD on POD5 compared with preoperative baseline values (percentage fall of 32.5±16.5%, P<0.0001). Linear regression analysis showed an independent association of the percentage fall of 6MWD with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and preoperative inspiratory muscle strength. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that the best cutoff value of percentage fall in 6MWD to predict poorer clinical outcomes at three months was 34.6% (area under the curve = 0.82, sensitivity = 78.95%, specificity = 76.19%, P=0.0001). Conclusion: This study indicates that a cutoff value of 34.6% in percentage fall of 6MWD on POD5 was able to predict poorer clinical outcomes at three months of follow-up after CABG. Use of CPB and preoperative inspiratory muscle strength were independent predictors of percentage fall of 6MWD in the postoperative period. These findings further support the clinical application of 6MWD and propose an inpatient preventive strategy to guide clinical management over time.

ABSTRACT Objective: This study aims to investigate the ability of the six-minute walk distance (6MWD) as a prognostic marker for midterm clinical outcomes three months after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), to identify possible predictors of fall in 6MWD in the early postoperative period, and to establish the percentage fall in early postoperative 6MWD, considering the preoperative baseline as 100%. Methods: A prospective cohort of patients undergoing elective CABG were included. The percentage fall in 6MWD was assessed by the difference between preoperative and postoperative day (POD) five. Clinical outcomes were evaluated three months after hospital discharge. Results: There was a significant decrease in 6MWD on POD5 compared with preoperative baseline values (percentage fall of 32.5±16.5%, P<0.0001). Linear regression analysis showed an independent association of the percentage fall of 6MWD with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and preoperative inspiratory muscle strength. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that the best cutoff value of percentage fall in 6MWD to predict poorer clinical outcomes at three months was 34.6% (area under the curve = 0.82, sensitivity = 78.95%, specificity = 76.19%, P=0.0001). Conclusion: This study indicates that a cutoff value of 34.6% in percentage fall of 6MWD on POD5 was able to predict poorer clinical outcomes at three months of follow-up after CABG. Use of CPB and preoperative inspiratory muscle strength were independent predictors of percentage fall of 6MWD in the postoperative period. These findings further support the clinical application of 6MWD and propose an inpatient preventive strategy to guide clinical management over time.

Abstract Objective: To compare pulmonary function, functional capacity and clinical outcomes amongst three groups of patients with left ventricular dysfunction following off-pump coronary artery bypass, namely: 1) conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV); 2) late open lung strategy (L-OLS); and 3) early open lung strategy (E-OLS). Methods: Sixty-one patients were randomized into 3 groups: 1) CMV (n=21); 2) L-OLS (n=20) initiated after intensive care unit arrival; and 3) E-OLS (n=20) initiated after intubation. Spirometry was performed at bedside on preoperative and postoperative days (PODs) 1, 3, and 5. Partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2) and pulmonary shunt fraction were evaluated preoperatively and on POD1. The 6-minute walk test was applied on the day before the operation and on POD5. Results: Both the open lung groups demonstrated higher forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 second on PODs 1, 3 and 5 when compared to the CMV group (P<0.05). The 6-minute walk test distance was more preserved, shunt fraction was lower, and PaO2 was higher in both open-lung groups (P<0.05). Open-lung groups had shorter intubation time and hospital stay and also fewer respiratory events (P<0.05). Key measures were significantly more favorable in the E-OLS group compared to the L-OLS group. Conclusion: Both OLSs (L-OLS and E-OLS) were able to promote higher preservation of pulmonary function, greater recovery of functional capacity and better clinical outcomes following off-pump coronary artery bypass when compared to conventional mechanical ventilation. However, in this group of patients with reduced left ventricular function, initiation of the OLS intra-operatively was found to be more beneficial and optimal when compared to OLS initiation after intensive care unit arrival.