Physiotherapy Practice Patterns for the Management of Patients undergoing Cardiac Surgery

Abstract

Background: This study explores physiotherapy practices in managing patients undergoing cardiac surgery in Lahore's hospitals. It focuses on evaluating pre and postoperative physiotherapy techniques, identifying common practices, and examining their alignment with evidence-based guidelines. Objective: This prospective survey aimed to determine the pre and postoperative physiotherapy treatment used on patients undergoing open heart surgery. Methods: The current survey involved physiotherapists working in cardiothoracic units throughout Lahore. A cross-sectional, descriptive study was carried out to know the practice of physiotherapy following routine open-heart surgery in Lahore. Patients having neurological symptoms, restricted lung disease, obstructed lung disease, cardiac vise unstable, under emergency procedure and excesses weight were not considered. Results: In this survey, 90% (66 out of 73) of physiotherapists routinely provided preoperative physiotherapy. During the post-operative period, 96% (70 out of 73) applied various physiotherapy treatments. Of the respondents, 97% considered physiotherapy vital after surgery. The survey also found 91.8% (67 out of 73) of physiotherapists emphasized early mobilization, 94.5% (69 out of 73) used deep breathing exercises, and 84.9% (62 out of 73) implemented coughing/huffing techniques. Conclusion: This survey provides an overview of current physiotherapy practices in the leading hospitals of Lahore in cardiac surgeries. Although, patients are provided with commonly used physiotherapy procedures, but in order to enhance the evidence-based practice, physiotherapists working in the cardiothoracic units should limit and improve their current treatment techniques and conduct new researches by taking benefits from the evidence based guidelines.