title: The role of electroanalgesia in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the electroanalgesia as an effective method in the reduction of pain and consequent improvement in lung function in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  During the period of one year were studied 30 patients undergoing surgery for treatment of the ischemic coronary disease. After randomization, 15 patients were allocated in the study group (that received electroanalgesia) and 15 patients from the controlled group (placebo). From the 1st until the 5th postoperative day were realized two applications of electroanalgesia or the placebo current, according the group where the patient was allocate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a reduction in the levels of pain in the study group compared to the controlled group, evidenced by the value P<0.05; however, there isn't evidence of statistical difference of the spirometric variables between them.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The group that did electroanalgesia presented reduction in the intensity of postoperative pain, which however did not mean improvement in respiratory function of these patients.
authors.affiliation: Inspirar Centro de Pós Graduação, Brazil. cesarluchesa@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Cesar Antonio
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Luchesa
authors.forename: Fernando Hintz
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Greca
authors.forename: Luiz César
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Guarita-Souza
authors.forename: José Luiz Verde
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: dos Santos
authors.forename: Esperidião Elias
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Aquim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013147:Spirometry; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation / Q000379:methods*