INTRODUCTION: The coronary arterial bypass graft (CABG) leads to important respiratory muscle function and quality of life alterations of patients undergoing this surgery. OBJECTIVES: To compare respiratory muscle strength, peak expiratory flow rate and quality of life in patients undergoing CABG and analyze the correlation between these parameters and pulmonary mechanics and functional capacity in the postoperative period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We assessed respiratory muscle strength, peak expiratory flow and quality of life of twelve patients submitted to CABG preoperatively and on the fifth postoperative day. The six-minute walk test and assessment of lung mechanics were performed only postoperatively. RESULTS: There were increases in maximal expiratory pressure, peak expiratory flow rate and quality of life postoperatively compared to preoperative values. No differences were observed in maximal inspiratory pressure. There was a positive correlation between peak expiratory flow rate and maximal expiratory pressure. The quality of life preoperatively was related with the gender and the airway resistance. There was no correlation between the factors analyzed preoperatively with the pulmonary compliance and to six-minute walk test. CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft have increased expiratory muscle strength, peak expiratory flow rate and quality of life compared with the period prior to surgery. These parameters are not good predictors of pulmonary compliance and functional capacity.
Myocardial revascularization; Respiratory muscles; Quality of life; Respiratory mechanics
