Chest and Sternum Support After Open Heart Surgery
Taking a holistic approach to recovery at home, the nurse-designed QualiBreath sternum and thorax support (with accessories) was created to help reduce pain and prevent complications after surgery. It is designed with open heart surgery in mind, with the goal of supporting safer breathing, coughing, and movement in the first weeks after sternotomy. 
Patients can purchase from here:
Index
(click on the topic to jump to the section)
- What problems could patients face after open heart surgery?
- Why do patients need external sternal support?
- What is QualiBreath?
- Why is extra support during coughing and sneezing important?
- How does it work?
- When is it used?
- How is it used?
- 10 key reasons to use QualiBreath
- Accessories
- Reviews & testimonials
What problems could patients face after open heart surgery?
After open heart surgery, recovery can come with a set of common issues that are especially hard once the patient is back home. Some patients are in a higher risk group for complications, including people with diabetes, kidney disease, lung disease, peripheral arterial disease, people with obesity, and women with larger breast sizes.
Common complications include pain, pulmonary infections, and sternal wound infections. Patients may also feel sensations such as clicking or popping at the sternum, and in rare cases there can be sternum instability or non-union. Many complications show up after the patient has already left the hospital, which is why simple, practical support tools matter at home as well.
Common issues after sternotomy procedures:
Respiratory pain
• Deep breathing
• Coughing, sneezing, straining
Muscle pain
• Sore respiratory muscles
• Sore ribs, shoulders, back, and neck
Incisional pain
• Sternotomy wound
• Drainage site
Wound healing issues
• Superficial Infection
• Deep sternal infection
• Dehiscence
Psychological issues
• Feelings of weakness
• Ineffective coping
Functional limitations
• Problems with eating
• Sleeping difficulties
• Mobilization difficulties
Why do patients need external sternal support?
Pain relief:After sternotomy, the ribs and muscles are often sore, so even basic activities can be painful. Opioids are sometimes prescribed for pain management, but they come with risks. An external chest support like QualiBreath can help support sore tissues and stabilize the sternum. With the optional CryoPouch accessory for cold therapy, the setup can support a more conservative pain-management approach while still helping the patient breathe, move, and recover.
Prevention of infections:
Bones are usually supported from the inside and outside while they heal. The sternum is no exception, and it is under stress from breathing and especially from coughing, sneezing, straining, and daily movement.
Any support solution should allow free breathing, so limiting the device to the upper torso matters. Leaving the lower lung lobes and upper abdominal area uncovered can encourage better respiration and use of the diaphragm, which can help reduce pulmonary complications. Stabilizing the sternum also supports better wound conditions and lowers the risk of infections This approach contributes to the prevention of post-operative pulmonary complications.
Stabilization of the sternum furthermore provides an optimal setting for effective soft-tissue healing which minimizes the risk of infection in the surgical incision which could expand to the deeper layers of tissue and the sternum bone.
Enhanced protection for high risk patients:
Patients with obesity and those with diabetes, kidney disease, lung disease, or other conditions have a higher risk of complications. For these patients, both the pain-relieving function and the infection-preventive potential of QualiBreath should be part of recovery planning..
Decreasing the cost of sternal wound complications:
While the average cost of open heart surgery without complications is around $20.000 (USD), the average cost of treating sternal wound complications raises the costs to around $60.000 (USD) with 18-20 additional hospital days. Just preventing 1 patient from encountering complications could pay for many months supply of QualiBreath.
What is QualiBreath?
QualiBreath, is a nurse-created chest brace with two core jobs:
- Provide constant support and comfort by supporting sore ribs and muscles while stabilizing the sternum.
- Provide extra support on demand when the patient coughs, sneezes, strains, or needs more help for a moment.
It is made from lightweight, breathable, stretchable material designed to fit different body shapes, and it is adjustable so the patient can find the right tension.
It includes special bar handles. Patients can grip these handles to tighten the brace further during painful moments. This can make coughing, sneezing, respiratory therapy, straining, and moving feel more manageable.
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Why is extra support during coughing and sneezing important?
Coughing and sneezing create a sudden spike in internal chest pressure. That pressure can place strain on the sternum from the inside, which can cause sharp pain and worry about wound healing. A practical, easy-to-grasp support mechanism helps counteract that pressure, reduce pain, and protect the sternum during recovery. QualiBreath was designed with integrated bar handles for exactly these moments.
How does it work?
QualiBreath is a unique, nurse-designed sternum support for patients who need heart surgery with opening of the breast bone (sternotomy).
It reduces potential complications and advances the recovery process to get patients home and back to normal life sooner.
QualiBreath is the only dual functional chest support.
It combines two key functions:
- constant reinforcement of the breast bone from the lateral sides
- integrated bar handles for coughing, sneezing, and straining
What is the normal chest wall movement during breathing?
Restful breathing: The diaphragm does most of the work with only small movements in all 3 directions (abdominal breathing).
Breathing during exercise and stress: The lateral and anterior-posterior movements increase (thoracic breathing)
How does coughing or sneezing affect chest wall movement
A reflex sequence occurs:
- Contraction of the diaphragm with inhalation of air
- Closure of the epiglottis and contraction of the vocal cords
- Contraction of abdominal muscles forcing the diaphragm upward
- A significant increase in intra-thoracic pressure (up to 300 mmHg)
- Sudden release of air through the epiglottis and vocal cords
Constant protection and support:
The wound and sternum are protected by a lightweight, ventilated, elastic material. QualiBreath sits high at the front, leaving the upper abdominal region uncovered, and shoulder straps help keep it in the right position. The closure is on the left side to avoid disturbing the wound, and the tension can be adjusted to what is comfortable while still allowing free breathing.
Pain control when coughing or sneezing:
The integrated bar handles let patients increase tension during coughing, sneezing, or straining. Deep breathing and diaphragm engagement are crucial after surgery, and pain control can make exercises and lung clearing easier.
Deep breathing is also an important way to relieve stress. With less pain, a better posture, improved breathing and free hands, it is easier for patients to do the exercises that hospital staff will recommend for a speedy recovery after surgery.
Patients get in control of their recovery:
QualiBreath sits directly on the skin and acts as a gentle reminder to protect the sternum and wound. (It may also be worn over a light t-shirt)
The handles are always available, even through clothing. The position can be adjusted for comfort, and accessories such as AxillaPads, the QualiPad seatbelt protector, and a washing net can improve comfort and day-to-day practicality.
When is it used?
QualiBreath is recommended after open heart surgery or other chest procedures that require a sternotomy. It is highly recommended for high-risk patients.
High-risk patients can be identified by risk factors and are recommended to wear it immediately after surgery, continuously for 6 to 8 weeks.
Risk factors for sternal wound infection include increased risk factors in the postoperative period such as:
- Atelectasis caused by anesthesia
- Diaphragmatic dysfunction
- Pain
- Immobility
- Ineffective cough
- Neurological injury
- IMA dissection
- Inflammatory response to CPB
- Low core temperature
How is it used?
How to Measure for the best size:
Use the measuring instructions provided here below to choose the right size before purchase.
10 reasons to use QualiBreath after open heart surgery:
1. Dual-functional external chest support
Constant lateral support on the sternum and patient-activated reinforcement handles during coughing, sneezing, pain.
2. Documented positive effect on patient’s entire recovery process
Improves sternal stability, pain relief, ease of breathing, comfort, patient function, ease of activities and exercise.
3. Decreases deep sternal wound infections
Documented effect of a firm, constant external support on the chest and sternum.
4. Keeps the lower lung lobes and the upper abdominal area free
Secures unrestricted deep respiration and increased comfort.
5. Supports the respiratory muscles and relieves pain
The firm, elastic material encourages deep breathing and coughing to clear the lungs of atelectasis and secretions.
6. Compliments the internal closure from the outside
Increases the potential for an optimal sternal alignment.
7. Unmatched comfort
Adjustable tension with the ability to loosen or tighten to near rigid state which increases compliance with usage in the hospital and at home.
8. Important adjunctive recovery treatment
Constant “reminder” to the patient that encourages mobilization and exercise of the upper limbs which increases blood supply and stimulates healing of the fractured sternum.
9. Important psychological aid to put the patient in control of his own recovery
Helps the patient to handle responsibility for sternum protection and wound care after discharge.
10. Decreases health care costs and gives a hospital significant return of investment
Prevents sternal infections, decreases postoperative pain and pulmonary complications.
Patients can purchase from here:
QualiBreath can be used with the following accessories:
CryoPouch: A practical tool to provide pain relief without narcotics. Fits directly on the QualiBreath sternum and thorax support.
The CryoPouch has two pockets for cold packs and is designed to provide cold treatment to relieve incision pain and discomfort after sternotomy and other surgeries in the chest. Apply the cold packs for 20 min. and repeat every 2 hours or as recommended by a health care professional.
AxillaPads: The AxillaPads are soft, comfortable cotton pads which adds comfort under the armpits and will help patients to protect the product from excessive underarm sweating. Simple to attach and fold over the upper border of the binder.
QualiPad: A postoperative wound protection pad to use in the car after cardiac surgery. It protects the wound or trauma area from the seat belt in the car after hospital discharge. It's easy to apply to the seat belt and patients can leave it on - no need to remember to bring it. Made of a comfortable, soft material it maintains the safety of the seat belt with the softness of a pillow.
Female patients with breast size below cup D can also use QualiBreath. For additional comfort and privacy, the breast cover accessory can be added simply by attaching its upper corner velcro pieces to the inside of QualiBreath and by closing the elastic band around the chest. The breast cover is not a bra but will cover any breast tissue appearing below the QualiBreath.
