The effects of mechanical insufflation-exsufflation on lung function and complications in cardiac surgery patients: a pilot study.

Background: Postoperative positive pressure lung expansion is associated with decreased pulmonary complications and improved clinical outcomes. The aim of the present study was to compare the differences in post-operative pulmonary complications and clinical outcomes between two groups of study subjects who underwent cardiac surgery; one included subjects who received mechanical insufflation-exsufflation (MI-E) and the other included subjects who received intermittent positive pressure breathing (IPPB) therapy.

Methods: This retrospective study included 51 subjects, who underwent cardiac surgery in an intensive care unit of a tertiary hospital during the time period from June 2017 to February 2018.