**5. Rehabilitation treatment for neurological complications after aortic valve surgery**

The **rehabilitative treatment** for NCs arising from aorta surgery ranges from prevention of possible complications to restoring the motor control of walking, improving limb functions and increasing the patient's participation in and return to daily life.

In patients with stroke and severe postoperative NCs, rehabilitation treatment in the **acute phase** is:


A technique of expectoration, chest expansion, postural drainage and chest vibrations could be added to techniques such as incentive spirometry and airflow acceleration techniques.

Neurological Complications in Aortic Valve Surgery and Rehabilitation Treatment Used 195


Technical aids such as braces, walking sticks, walking frames, botulinum toxin and

There follows an analysis of the impact of different NCs in aortic valve surgery, including both early and late complications from 2008 to 2010 in the University Hospital 12 de Octubre (Madrid). The study includes single and multiple aortic valve replacements, aortic valve replacement plus coronary artery bypass grafting and aortic valve replacement plus tube graft due to root aneurysm (techniques: Bentall (Kirali et al, 2002), David (modified) (Forteza

3. To analyse the different rehabilitation techniques that have been used in the treatment

452 patients who underwent aortic valve surgery were retrospectively analyzed by being divided into the following groups: single and multiple aortic valve replacements, aortic

standard guideline.

emotional disturbances.

occupational therapy are also used.

Fig. 6. Different technical aids and ortheses used for hemiplegics

et al, 2010) and 2nd aortic valve replacement).

1. To assess the clinical risk factors for NC developing. 2. To assess the different NCs and their impact/frequency.

**6. Objectives** 

of NCs.

**7. Materials and methods** 

this shoulder pain may delay the recovery process. Prevention is based posture and movement guidelines given by the patient's medical staff and family. Transcutaneous neuromuscular stimulation can prevent and treat pain but is not recommended as a

The typical respiratory pattern of patients undergoing median sternotomy is: low tidal volume, high respiratory rate, absence of sighing, restrictive pattern [reduced vital capacity, reduced inspiratory capacity and reduced functional residual capacity produced by both anesthesia (18%) and decubitus (30%)]. Apart from altering the exchange of gases, it is also beneficial in that there are cases where there is aspiration as this decreases mucociliary activity, decreases cough reflex, and produces a hyperreactive and altered alveolar surfactant.


Fig. 5. Postural night splint


this shoulder pain may delay the recovery process. Prevention is based posture and movement guidelines given by the patient's medical staff and family. Transcutaneous neuromuscular stimulation can prevent and treat pain but is not recommended as a standard guideline.


In the **subacute phase** of postoperative neurological complications, work is done directly on the motor deficit and physical disability using different techniques involving: compensation, facilitation, task-oriented rehabilitation, technology applied to rehabilitation programmes geared towards tasks (e.g. walking on a treadmill with part of the body weight suspended), therapy by movement induced by the healthy side being restricted, muscle strengthening techniques and aerobic exercise. Intervention in the perceptual and cognitive area and emotional disturbances.

Technical aids such as braces, walking sticks, walking frames, botulinum toxin and occupational therapy are also used.

Fig. 6. Different technical aids and ortheses used for hemiplegics

There follows an analysis of the impact of different NCs in aortic valve surgery, including both early and late complications from 2008 to 2010 in the University Hospital 12 de Octubre (Madrid). The study includes single and multiple aortic valve replacements, aortic valve replacement plus coronary artery bypass grafting and aortic valve replacement plus tube graft due to root aneurysm (techniques: Bentall (Kirali et al, 2002), David (modified) (Forteza et al, 2010) and 2nd aortic valve replacement).
