Correlations between change in neural respiratory drive and heart rate variability in patients submitted to open-heart surgery

Respiratory muscle dysfunction after open-heart surgery may influence the cardiopulmonary interactions. The purpose of this study was to ex-amine the correlation between change in the neural respiratory drive (NRD) and change in heart rate variability (HRV) in patients submitted to open-heart surgery. An observational cross-sectional study was con-ducted among 32 participants. NRD was assessed via a surface elec-tromyogram of the parasternal intercostal muscle (sEMGpara). Polar heart rate monitor was used to measure HRV during the deep breathing maneuver. Evaluations were performed on the day of admission and discharge. There were statistically significant differences in NRD and HRV indices between admission and discharge periods (P