Purpose : Morbidity and mortality after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is increased by postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) . PPC add to the length of hospital stay and cost. The efficacy of preoperative yoga breathing techniques (pranayama) in reducing the incidence of PPCs in patients undergoing CABG surgery has never been studied . The aim of this study was to evaluate the prophylactic efficacy of preoperative yoga breathing techniques on the incidence of PPCs in patients scheduled for elective CABG surgery.
Method: 20 Consecutive stable patients scheduled for elective CABG surgery at the Sigma New Life Heart Centre were randomly assigned to receive either conventional usual care respiratory therapy (Group 1) , or yoga therapy in addition to usual care (Group 2). Demographic data, anesthesia, surgical and ICU protocols were similar in both groups . Pulmonary function tests, arterial blood gas analysis and chest radiographs were done pre and post operatively. Incidence of PPCs, ventilation time , ICU stay, and duration of hospitalization were tabulated.
Results : After CABG surgery, PPCs were present in 12 % of patients in Group 1 and 4 % of patients in the Group 2 (odds ratio [OR] 0.52. Pneumonia occurred in 9 % of patients in Group 1 and in 2 % of patients in Group 2 (OR 0.40) . Median duration of postoperative hospitalization was 8 days in the Group 1 vs 6 days in Group 2 . A significant decrease of pulmonary function was observed in both groups until postoperative day 5. When compared with the percentage of the preoperative value, the forced vital capacity was significantly lower in group 1 than in group 2 on postoperative days 1 (33.3% ± 8.3% versus 49.1% ± 8.4%, p < 0.001), 3 (45.4% ± 7.0% versus 62.1% ± 8.6%, p < 0.001), and 5 (56.1% ± 8.7% versus 77.5% ± 11.6%, p < 0.001). Similar results were found for forced expiratory volume in 1 second .The PaO2 value and the PaO 2/FIO 2 ratio dropped on postoperative day 1 in both groups (p < 0.05), with a higher fall in group 1 (p < 0.05). Orotracheal intubation time (p = 0.012) and hospital stay (p = 0.002) were lower in group 2 .
Conclusion The addition of yoga therapy improved the oxygenation , reduced the deterioration in PFT and reduced the incidence of PPCs and duration of postoperative hospitalization in patients undergoing CABG surgery.