Effect of Implementing Respiratory Exercises on Patients’ Hemodynamic Parameters Post Extubation in Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit

Kandil, Hady E.; Ahmed, Safaa E.; Taha, Abdelhady M.; Elmetyazidy, Heba Z.

doi:10.21608/tsnj.2025.434608

Effect of Implementing Respiratory Exercises on Patients’ Hemodynamic Parameters Post Extubation in Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Nursing Specialist, Kafr Elsheikh University Hospitals, Egypt 2 Master student at Critical Care Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Tanta University, Egypt

² Prof of Critical Care Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Tanta University, Egypt

³ Prof of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Egypt

⁴ Assist prof of Critical Care Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Tanta University, Egypt

10.21608/tsnj.2025.434608

Abstract

Background: The most critical time for the patient is the postoperative phase. During this
period, complications following open heart surgery result in significant consequences so using
respiratory exercises have long been a standard component of post-operative care. Aim:
Evaluate the effect of implementing respiratory exercises on patients’ hemodynamic
parameters post extubation in Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit. Design: A quasi-
experimental study was used. Setting: Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit in Tanta
International Teaching Hospital affiliated to Tanta University Hospitals. Subjects: Purposive
sample of 60 patients divided into two groups 30 in each. Tools: Three tools were utilized in
this research. Tool I: Patients’ Structured Assessment. Tool II: Cardiothoracic Rehabilitation
Exercises Tolerance Checklist. Tool III: Patients’ Respiratory Hemodynamic Parameters.
Result: the mean of FEV1 in the study group at first day was 87.87±5.17 and for the second
day was 93.63±3.43 with highly statistically significant, p value = 0.000. Comparison with the
mean control group FEV1 was 56.30±4.21 for day one and 56.57±3.89for day two .the mean
of FVC in the study group first day was 86.27±3.06 and for the second day was 92.60±3.58
with highly statistically significant p value = 0.000. A significant correlation between total
exercises tolerance and heart rate and pao2 among patients in study group on 2nd day with p
value 0.005 and 0.003 respectively, while there no significant correlation between total
exercises tolerance and BP, RR and Paco2 with p value < 0.05. Conclusion: Combination of
early activity and chest physiotherapy lead to better hemodynamic parameters such as
oxygenation and ventilation indicators and stability of vital signs than the routine nursing care.
Recommendation: Giving more training to nurses working in anesthesia care who deal with
patients after open-heart surgery and encouraging nurses to using deep breathing exercise and
incentive spirometer, shoulder mobilization and chest exercises and upper limb exercise.