Author(s)

Xiaolu Yang, Jie Tao, Xiangfeng Bai, Xinang Liu

Corresponding Author

Xinang Liu

Abstract

Objective: to explore the effect of sputum aspiration in three different positions on oxygenation index and SPO2 recovery in elderly patients after cardiac surgery methods: 60 elderly patients who needed sputum aspiration after cardiac surgery were randomly divided into group I (n = 20), group II (n = 20) and group III (n = 20). The patients in group I were in the supine position for sputum aspiration, while those in group II were in the lateral decubitus position. In group III, the head of the bed was raised by 15°–30° during sputum aspiration, and the patients were in the position of lying on the side and with their heads tilted back later. The negative pressure of-35 kPa ~-40 kPa was used for sputum aspiration for three days, during which the changes of oxygenation index and SPO2 recovery in each group were observed. Results After sputum aspiration in the three postures, the oxygenation was improved, and the oxygenation index was increased to different extents. In group III (15°–30° posture), the oxygenation index was increased more after sputum aspiration, which indicated that the oxygenation was more adequate. As the oxygen supply was affected to different extents during sputum aspiration, the recovery of SPO2 from the three kinds of sputum aspiration was affected. However, in group III, the recovery time of SPO2 was the shortest, which was significantly shorter than that in group I and group II, and there was a very significant difference between the groups (P < 0.01). Conclusion: The oxygenation index and SPO2 recovery of elderly patients after cardiac surgery are obviously affected by the position of sputum suction. To take the position of raising the head of the bed by 15°–30° during sputum suction, taking the lateral decubitus and tilting the head back is better for the patients, which has a positive significance in reducing the complications of sputum suction and the adverse consequences.

Keywords

Different body positions; Sucking sputum; Elderly patients; Heart surgery; Oxygenation index; SPO2