Effects of Respiratory Muscle Training Pre- and Post-Cardiac Surgery in Adults: A Scoping Review.

Background: Coronary artery bypass grafts (CABGs) and cardiac valve replacement surgeries (CVRSs) are common lifesaving cardiac surgeries. They are linked to an increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs). This review scopes the effects of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on adult patients, considering mainly exercise capacity, lung function, and the occurrence of PPCs.

Methods: This scoping review was built using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Four databases were searched in May 2024. Three reviewers independently screened the articles. The data were extracted and summarised in text and tables.

Results: Five studies were included in the final analysis, where IMT was compared to sham or placebo IMT, and some studies added an exercise program to both groups. PeakVO₂, the six-minute walking test (6MWT), maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), quality of life (QoL), PPCs, and spirometry outcomes showed significant improvements between the intervention group (IG) and control group (CG) and intragroup over time.

Conclusions: IMT can be a non-conventional training method to prevent respiratory muscle weakness. It can be applied in pre- or post-surgical contexts, potentially affecting exercise capacity and quality of life in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery.