Effects of Exercise Training After Open Heart Surgery on Quality of Life and Exercise Tolerance in Patients With Mitral Regurgitation or Aortic Regurgitation

Abstract

We conducted a questionnaire survey regarding quality of life (QOL) to evaluate the effects of exercise training on the QOL in patients with valvular heart disease after surgery. This study included 64 consecutive patients who underwent heart surgery. They were divided into two groups: exercise training could (EX(+) group, n = 31) and could not be performed (EX(-) group, n = 33) until 6 months after surgery. To evaluate the QOL and exercise tolerance, we employed "a questionnaire regarding disease and quality of life" developed for Japanese people and cardiopulmonary exercise testing. In our questionnaire survey, the improvement rating (Delta subjective/social index), which was calculated from the difference between the pre-and postoperative values, was greater in the EX(+) group than that in the EX(-) group (4.9 +/- 3.1 versus 1.1 +/- 4.0, P < 0.05). In the changes in exercise tolerance, Delta anaerobic threshold was greater in the EX(+) group (0.79 +/- 0.17 versus -0.02 +/- 0.28, P < 0.01). Moreover, there was a positive correlation between Delta subjective/social index and Delta peak VO(2) (r = 0.62, P < 0.05). We concluded that exercise training for patients after cardiac surgery improves the QOL and exercise tolerance. It is suggested that changes in subjective and social parameters contribute to an exercise training-related improvement in the QOL.

Cuidados pré e pós-operatórios em cirurgia cardiotorácica: uma abordagem fisioterapêutica

“…In the late postoperative period after cardiac surgery, carrying out exercises in patients with valve disease can improve their tolerance of exercise, as well as their quality of life, although there are no significant alterations in lung function [27]. Table 1 shows some respiratory complications resulting from surgery and some suggestions for possible physiotherapeutic interventions evaluated in some studies.…”

Rehabilitation of a Female Patient after Corrective Surgery for Tetralogy of Fallot

“…Close surveillance of patients during their physical training is essential (14). Earlier studies have shown that after a six-month physical training in patients after heart valve surgery their quality of life was significantly improved (15). A study was conducted to examine the effect of a twelve-week aerobic dynamic physical exercise on heart muscle remodeling in patients after corrective TOF surgery, which demonstrated that there were no harmful effects of physical training on cardiac remodeling (14).…”

Deutsche Leitlinie zur Rehabilitation von Patienten mit Herz-Kreislauferkrankungen (DLL-KardReha)

“…Sie zeigen eine ähnliche Verbesserung der körperlichen Leistungsfähigkeit wie bei KHK-Patienten [102][103][104][105][106][107][108][109][110][111].…”

“…Trainingsprogramme über 1-12 Monate mit 3-7 Trainingseinheiten pro Woche hatten einen positiven Effekt in Bezug auf die Belastbarkeit bei Patienten nach Aortenklappenersatz, nach Mitralklappenvalvuloplastie und nach Mitralklappenersatz [102,[104][105][106][107][108][109][110][111][112].…”