Introduction: Infants with congenital heart diseases before cardiosurgery often demonstrate pathological respiratory symptoms. The aim of this study was to analyze the effectiveness of vibrations as a rehabilitation method.
Materials and methods: The study population consisted of 22 infants. Congenital non cyanotic heart defects with increased pulmonary blood flow were diagnosed in 13 children (6 complete atrioventricular septal defect, 7 ventricular septal defect including 5 with coexisting atrial septal defect) in 9 cyanotic heart diseases (7 tetralogy of Fallot, 1 transposition of the great arteries, 1 total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage).
Vibrations in gravity-assisted positioning were used in every patient. Saturation, respiratory rate and heart rate were controlled before and after the procedure, as well as after a 15-minute-break.
Results: In infants with non cyanotic lesions with increased pulmonary blood flow the average heart rate (HR) before the procedure was 154,3/min, after the procedure HR was 154,2/min and after the 15-minute-break was 140,3/min. Average respiratory rate before the procedure was 41,98/min, after procedure was 23,1/min and after the 15-minute-break was 33,62/min.
In infants with cyanotic heart diseases the average saturation before the procedure was 91%, after the procedure 93% and after the15-minute-break 94,1%. Differences were not statistically significant (p≥0,05). Research is still in progress.
Conclusions. 1. Pulmonary physiotherapy has a positive effect on heart rate and breathing in infants with congenital heart diseases with the left-to-right shunt. 2. Improved saturation after the physiotherapy in infants with cyanotic lesions is observed.