INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Heart surgery is one of the most important tools for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Postoperative pulmonary complications in patients undergoing heart surgery represent a meaningful clinical problem. Respiratory physiotherapy is essential in the management of patients during postoperative period, contributing to a better prognosis. Our objective is to evaluate the efficacy of respiratory physiotherapy prior to cardiac surgery in reducing postoperative complications and hospital stay. METHODS: Randomized, controlled and observational study. A group of 92 patients who underwent heart surgery with extracorporeal circulation were analyzed in the Hospital Puerta del Mar (Spain), divided into 2 groups (control group and experimental group with previous respiratory physiotherapy). We study different postoperative complications and hospital stay. RESULTS: Atelectasis, pleural effusion, and sternal dehiscence were altered between both groups. An improvement in the intubation time and the reintubation rate was reported in the experimental group, in addition, lower oxygen consumption, an improvement in the fulfillment of respiratory physiotherapy following surgery and a shorter overall hospital stay and in the post-operative care unit was also observed. CONCLUSIONS: Fulfillment of respiratory physiotherapy preceding to heart surgery decreases pulmonary complications and hospital stay, as well as accelerates the recovery of the breathing capacity.

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