American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Sep 1995
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialPostoperative physical therapy after coronary artery bypass surgery.
Coronary artery bypass surgery is frequently complicated by postoperative atelectasis. Although routinely prescribed, the efficacy of any specific chest physical therapy is not well established. We studied patients at a university center undergoing elective coronary artery bypass surgery. ⋯ We conclude that postoperative respiratory dysfunction is common but does not commonly cause significant morbidity or prolong hospital stay. Adding SMI to patients with minimal atelectasis at extubation does not improve clinical outcomes. Similarly, adding SSP to patients with marked atelectasis does not improve outcomes over those obtained with SMI and early ambulation.