[Protocols of hospital rehabilitation in phases I and II]

We define the phase I as that in which the patients are into the hospital because an acute coronary event like myocardial infarction, or by surgery. It is also called hospital phase and lasts when the first exercise test is made. We define the phase II as that in which the patients increase their functional capacity and lasts when that increase is not necessary. Its duration is two or three months. It is also called convalescence phase. The aims of the physical training in the phase I are to avoid the damages of extensive rest in bed like muscle atrophies and calcium loss of the bones with important decrease of functional capacity and, in surgical cases, to avoid bronchial secretions, atelectases, phrenic paralysis and mobility damages secondaries to the scar. The physical training in the phase I begins 48 hours after the acute myocardial infarction or immediately after surgery, with light calisthenics and, when surgery, other specific exercises to avoid its specific described damages. A patient risk stratification can be made during the phase I following clinical criteria. The phase II begins with the first exercise test, made between the 10th and 15th days after infarction or between the 7th and 15 days after surgery or PTCA. This exercise test can evaluate the medical treatment, stratify the risk and determine the intensity of the exercise in this phase. The main aim in this phase is to improve the functional capacity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)