Comparative Evaluation of Cardiorehabilitation Exercises After Open Heart Surgery Summary

Abstract

Cardiorehabilitation is a well-established treatment model developed worldwide to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease. Cardiorehabilitation is a complex method, as it includes many components. As a result, the nature and quality of cardiac rehabilitation services may vary, which in turn affects the degree of benefit to the patient. There are 20 Cardiac Rehabilitation component indicators that are always used. However, whether cardiorehabilitation has been improved to meet these standards is not well characterized. At the same time, it is necessary to evaluate the performance of exercises performed by patients during cardiorehabilitation, and the effectiveness of these exercises. The purpose of the study: to evaluate the performance of exercises during cardiorehabilitation after open heart surgery and to evaluate their clinical effectiveness. Methods. Based on the selection criteria for the study, patients were selected who were admitted to the rehabilitation department of the Сardiomed clinic through the Hospitalization Bureau after open heart surgery. A total of 104 patients participated in this study. A comprehensive program of cardiorehabilitation at the 2nd and 3rd stages of rehabilitation in the patients after open heart surgery consists of breathing simulators, physical exercises, physiotherapy, exercise bike, inhalations, breathing exercises, a treadmill or skis. All patients receive medical treatment + rehabilitation procedures according to the developed cardiorehabilitation program. To assess the results of the study, the Borg scale (a widely used quantitative measure of perceived exertion during physical activity) was measured in points, and exercise duration was measured in minutes. The 6-minute walk test was used to describe exercise effectiveness and exercise tolerance. Results. The average age of patients was 51.96±1.13 years, including 65.4% of men and 34.6% of women. Among comorbidities, 67.3% of patients have arterial hypertension . Coronary artery bypass grafting was performed on the 42.3% of patients, mammary coronary artery bypass grafting on the 12.5% patients, mitral valve replacement on the 26.9% patients, aortic valve replacement on the 11.5% patients, mitral aortic graft on the 4.9% patients and correction of congenital heart defects on the 1.9% patients. As the results of the study it revealed, that light intensity during physical activity before rehabilitation was less, and high intensity was greater; after 6 months, exercises were easily performed in more than half of the patients. In addition, over time, the exercise became easier, and the overall duration increased. According to the results of the 6-minute walk test, the distance that patients walk has increased, so the result of cardiorehabilitation treatment is obvious better. Conclusion: according to the results of the study, the exercises performed during cardiorehabilitation are easy, voluminous and doable, and the improvement of the 6-minute walk test indicates the effectiveness of the exercises.