Objective:To evaluate heart rate variability during an inspiratory muscle endurance
protocol at three different load levels [30%, 60% and 80% of maximal
inspiratory pressure], in patients who had previously undergone
coronary artery bypass grafting.Methods:Nineteen late postoperative myocardial revascularization patients
participating in a cardiovascular rehabilitation program were studied.
Maximal inspiratory pressure maneuvers were performed. An inspiratory muscle
endurance protocol at 30%, 60% and 80% of maximal inspiratory pressure was
applied for four minutes each, in random order. Heart rate and RR intervals
were recorded and heart rate variability was analyzed by time (RMSSD-the
mean of the standard deviations for all R-R intervals, and RMSM-root-mean
square differences of successive R-R intervals) and frequency domains
indices (high and low frequency) in normalized units. ANOVA for repeated
measurements was used to compare heart rate variability indices and Student
t-test was used to compare the maximal inspiratory pressure and maximal
expiratory pressure values.Results:Heart rate increased during performance of maximal respiratory pressures
maneuvers, and the maximal inspiratory pressure and maximal expiratory
pressure mean values were significantly lower than predicted values
(P<0.05). RMSSD increased significantly at 80% in
relation to rest and 30% of maximal inspiratory pressure and RMSM decreased
at 30% and 60% of maximal inspiratory pressure in relation to rest
(P<0.05). Additionally, there was significant and
progressive decrease in low frequency and increase in high frequency at 30%,
60% and 80% of maximal inspiratory pressure in relation to the resting
condition.Conclusion:These results suggest that respiratory muscle training at high intensities
can promote greater parasympathetic activity and it may confer important
benefits during a rehabilitation program in post-coronary artery bypass
grafting.