ObjectiveTo review the literature on the effects of expiratory rib cage compression on
ventilatory mechanics, airway clearance, and oxygen and hemodynamic indices
in mechanically ventilated adults.MethodsSystematic review with meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials in the
databases MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL, PEDro, and LILACS.
Studies on adult patients hospitalized in intensive care units and under
mechanical ventilation that analyzed the effects of expiratory rib cage
compression with respect to a control group (without expiratory rib cage
compression) and evaluated the outcomes static and dynamic compliance,
sputum volume, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean
arterial pressure, heart rate, peripheral oxygen saturation, and ratio of
arterial oxygen partial pressure to fraction of inspired oxygen were
included. Experimental studies with animals and those with incomplete data
were excluded.ResultsThe search strategy produced 5,816 studies, of which only three randomized
crossover trials were included, totaling 93 patients. With respect to the
outcome of heart rate, values were reduced in the expiratory rib cage
compression group compared with the control group [-2.81 bpm (95% confidence
interval [95%CI]: -4.73 to 0.89; I2: 0%)]. Regarding dynamic
compliance, there was no significant difference between groups
[-0.58mL/cmH2O (95%CI: -2.98 to 1.82; I2: 1%)].
Regarding the variables systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood
pressure, significant differences were found after descriptive evaluation.
However, there was no difference between groups regarding the variables
secretion volume, static compliance, ratio of arterial oxygen partial
pressure to fraction of inspired oxygen, and peripheral oxygen
saturation.ConclusionThere is a lack of evidence to support the use of expiratory rib cage
compression in routine care, given that the literature on this topic offers
low methodological quality and is inconclusive.