Exercise training with cycle ergometry in the intensive care unit after total artificial heart implantation
Katelyn D Brown1, Jenny Adams1, Dan M Meyer2
1Department of Cardiac Rehabilitation, Baylor Scott and White Heart and Vascular Hospital, Dallas, Texas.
Abstract:
A 53-year-old male mountain biker received a total artificial heart and remained in the cardiovascular intensive care unit for 56 days. To reduce functional decline caused by inactivity, he performed a six-session cycle ergometer exercise program in his hospital room. Traditional cardiac responses for exercise prescription were not applicable; therefore, a symptom-limited, monitored progression scheme in conjunction with recommendations for the artificial heart was implemented to modify duration and intensity. Over the six sessions, the patient improved his distance pedaled by 320% and functional capacity by 1 metabolic equivalent. He was subsequently discharged from the hospital and later successfully transplanted without readmission.
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