Self-reported physical activity and lung function two months after cardiac surgery--a prospective cohort study

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Pulmonology
• Rehabilitation

Background:

• Sedentary behavior is linked to adverse outcomes post-cardiac surgery.
• Cardiac surgery patients frequently experience postoperative lung function impairment.
• The link between physical activity and lung function recovery in these patients is understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between physical activity levels and lung function recovery post-cardiac surgery.
• To determine if changes in physical activity influence pulmonary function after surgery.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 283 cardiac surgery patients was assessed two months postoperatively.
• Physical activity was categorized using a modified four-level scale.
• Formal lung function tests were conducted preoperatively and two months postoperatively.

Main Results:

• Physical activity levels increased in the cohort by two months after surgery (p < 0.001).
• Patients who were active or increased activity had significantly better recovery of vital capacity (p=0.03), inspiratory capacity (p=0.008), and total lung capacity (p=0.01).
• Sedentary or less active patients showed poorer lung function recovery.

Conclusions:

• An increase in physical activity post-cardiac surgery was observed as early as two months.
• A significant association exists between physical activity levels and lung function recovery after cardiac surgery.
• Further research with objective physical activity measures is needed to confirm these findings.