Perioperative variables of ventilatory function and physical capacity in heart transplant patients.

INTRODUCTION: Heart transplantation is currently the only widely accepted surgical alternative to treat patients with severe heart failure (HF) drug therapy cannot maintain optimal quality of life appropriate. OBJECTIVE: To describe and to compare the values between pre-and postoperative physical capacity and pulmonary patients who underwent heart transplantation. METHODS: A retrospective cohort composed of patients undergoing heart transplantation between January 2001 to March 2005 in IC-FUC/RS. RESULTS: Were included in the 21 individuals. We observed decreased levels of volume and lung capacity (FEV1 and FVC) in the first days after surgery compared to preoperatively (P <0.001) and recovery of these values in the 14th postoperative day (P <0.001). The values of muscle strength showed similar trends in reducing post-operative period compared to preoperative (P <0.001) and recovered on the 14th postoperative day (P <0.001). A useful functional capacity, measured by testing 6-minute walk test (T6') showed improvement in the 14th postoperative day in relation to pre-operatively (P <0.001). CONCLUSION: Changes in ventilatory function of subjects undergoing cardiac transplantation are predictable, but these recover respiratory muscle strength and lung capacity within two weeks, and improve functional capacity useful in relation to pre-operative, the transplantation, when indicated, associated with good functional rehabilitation is very god treatment strategy.

Variáveis perioperatórias de função ventilatória e capacidade física em indivíduos submetidos a transplante cardíaco / Perioperative variables of ventilatory function and physical capacity in heart transplant patients

INTRODUÇÃO: O transplante cardíaco é atualmente a única alternativa cirúrgica amplamente aceita para tratar pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca (IC) grave que a terapia medicamentosa otimizada não consiga manter qualidade de vida adequada. OBJETIVO: Descrever e comparar os valores entre pré e pós-operatório, das capacidades física e pulmonar de pacientes que realizaram transplante cardíaco. MÉTODOS: Estudo de coorte retrospectivo composto por indivíduos submetidos ao transplante cardíaco, entre janeiro de 2001 a março de 2005, no IC-FUC/RS. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos na análise 21 indivíduos. Observou-se redução dos valores de volumes e capacidades pulmonares (VEF1 e CVF) no 1º dia de pós-operatório em relação ao pré-operatório (P<0,001) e recuperação destes valores no 14º dia de pós-operatório (P<0,001). Os valores de força muscular inspiratória demonstraram tendências semelhantes, reduzindo no 1º dia de pós-operatório em relação ao pré-operatório (P< 0,001) e recuperando no 14º pós-operatório (P< 0,001). A capacidade funcional útil, mensurada por meio do teste de caminhada de 6 minutos (T6') mostrou melhora no 14º pós-operatório em relação ao pré-operatório (P< 0,001). CONCLUSÃO: Alterações na função ventilatória de indivíduos submetidos a transplante cardíaco são previsíveis, porém estes recuperam a força de músculos ventilatórios e capacidades pulmonares dentro de duas semanas, além de melhorar a capacidade funcional útil em relação ao préoperatório, sendo o transplante, quando indicado, associado à reabilitação funcional boa estratégia terapêutica.

INTRODUCTION: Heart transplantation is currently the only widely accepted surgical alternative to treat patients with severe heart failure (HF) drug therapy cannot maintain optimal quality of life appropriate. OBJECTIVE: To describe and to compare the values between pre-and postoperative physical capacity and pulmonary patients who underwent heart transplantation. METHODS: A retrospective cohort composed of patients undergoing heart transplantation between January 2001 to March 2005 in IC-FUC/RS. RESULTS: Were included in the 21 individuals. We observed decreased levels of volume and lung capacity (FEV1 and FVC) in the first days after surgery compared to preoperatively (P <0.001) and recovery of these values in the 14th postoperative day (P <0.001). The values of muscle strength showed similar trends in reducing post-operative period compared to preoperative (P <0.001) and recovered on the 14th postoperative day (P <0.001). A useful functional capacity, measured by testing 6-minute walk test (T6') showed improvement in the 14th postoperative day in relation to pre-operatively (P <0.001). CONCLUSION: Changes in ventilatory function of subjects undergoing cardiac transplantation are predictable, but these recover respiratory muscle strength and lung capacity within two weeks, and improve functional capacity useful in relation to pre-operative, the transplantation, when indicated, associated with good functional rehabilitation is very god treatment strategy.