Effects of alveolar recruitment on arterial oxygenation in patients after cardiac surgery: a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial.

Objective: Pulmonary atelectasis and hypoxemia remain considerable problems after cardiac surgery. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of consecutive vital capacity maneuvers (C-VCMs) to improve oxygenation in patients after cardiac surgery.

Study Design: Randomized, controlled clinical trial.