Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery

Pulmonary, neurological, neurodevelopmental, orthopedic, and other comorbidities that restrict functionality are frequently observed in pediatric patients who undergo cardiac surgery for congenital heart disease. Of the 4265 pediatric patients who underwent cardiac surgery, 42.9% of the patients were admitted to intensive care units because of respiratory problems. Decreased exercise capacity in patients with congenital heart disease is an independent factor that causes hospitalization and/or mortality. Cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs for adults have been widely applied in cardiac patients and are often recommended in guidelines because of their beneficial effects. Studies showed that in addition to increasing oxygen consumption and exercise capacity, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation also reduces mortality, morbidity, and healthcare costs and improves quality of life. Therefore, in pediatric hospitalized patients in intensive care units, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation is important for their survival and reduction of mortality and morbidity and is also becoming increasingly important in our country. Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation includes positioning, mobilization, airway clearance techniques, non-invasive mechanical ventilation, weaning, exercise, electrical stimulation, and respiratory muscle training in children who underwent cardiac surgery.