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Published on: March 27, 2018
Cardiovascular response [corrected] during rehabilitation after coronary artery bypass grafting
Insights
Cardiovascular rehabilitation exercises after myocardial revascularization surgery are safe. The Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale can help monitor patient response during recovery.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Exercise Science
- Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
Background:
- Myocardial revascularization surgery requires careful post-operative management.
- In-hospital cardiovascular rehabilitation is crucial for patient recovery.
- Monitoring cardiovascular responses during early rehabilitation is essential for safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate cardiovascular variable changes during in-hospital rehabilitation post-myocardial revascularization surgery.
- To assess the safety and efficacy of a low-impact exercise program in this patient group.
Main Methods:
- 14 patients undergoing myocardial revascularization surgery participated.
- A low-impact exercise protocol (2-3 METs) was implemented pre- and post-operatively.
- Evaluated variables included heart rate, blood pressure, double product, and Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE).
Main Results:
- Significant increases in heart rate and double product were observed, remaining below 30% of predicted maximums.
- A negative correlation was found between RPE and systolic/mean arterial pressure.
- Physiological variable changes were within safe limits for the hospitalization phase.
Conclusions:
- The prescribed exercises were safe for patients in the early hospitalization phase post-surgery.
- The Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale shows potential as a monitoring tool for hemodynamic responses.
- This rehabilitation approach supports safe recovery and may aid in managing cardiovascular variables.
Objective:
The aim of the present study was to assess the behavior of cardiovascular variables during an in-hospital cardiovascular rehabilitation program in patients following myocardial revascularization surgery.
Methods:
A total of 14 patients (mean age: 55.4 ± 6.4 years, 78.6% male) participated in the study, all of whom had a previous diagnosis of coronary insufficiency and indication for elective surgery. The protocol consisted of a group of low-impact (2-3 METs) upper/lower extremity and walking exercises performed both pre and post-operatively (3rd and 4th days). The following variables were evaluated at rest and following the exercise program: heart rate (HR, bpm); systolic arterial pressure (SAP, mmHg); diastolic arterial pressure (DAP, mmHg); mean arterial pressure (MAP, mmHg); double product (DPr, bpm/mmHg); and the Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale.
Results:
There was a significant increase in HR and DPr in the individual analysis (P<0.001) as well as in between days (P<0.001 for HR and P<0.05 for DPr), but only attaining maximal values that were ≤ 30% of predicted. Moreover, a negative correlation was found between the RPE scale and both SAP and MAP.
Conclusion:
The exercises proposed proved to be safe with the change in key physiologic variables throughout the experiment below recommended values for the hospitalization phase. Furthermore, the RPE scale appears to have a correlation with some hemodynamic variables and thus may be a useful tool for this group of patients.
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