Mobility after Heart Surgery: What Are Influential Factors ?

Abstract

Objective: To analyze postoperative mobility after cardiac surgery. Methods: Observational study in patients, aged ≥ 18 years, undergoing myocardial revascularization and/or valvular heart surgery, hospitalized in a Brazil hospital. The data collection took place between April 2016 and March 2017. On admission to the ward, patients received a calibrated pedometer. They were asked to use the device during five consecutive days, yet only three days of full use were analyzed. Results: Analyzed were data of 87 individuals with mean age of 58.70 ± 12.59 years, 52 (59.8%) of them were males. Regarding surgery, 53 (60.9%) underwent myocardial revascularization. The median number of steps was 738 (185-1,557), which showed a weak and inverse correlation with the length of stay in the intensive care unit (r = -0.3 / p = 0.02), however, it was not statistically significant when related to clinical and surgical data. Male patients had a better mobility when compared to patients of the female sex (p = 0.04). Conclusions: Individuals who had a longer stay in the intensive care unit, as well as females, had a lower mobility in the ward. The mobility did not show a relation with intra-and postoperative factors.