The effects of pre-transplantation center-based cardiac rehabilitation on the postoperative quality of life and adherence to exercise in patients undergoing heart transplantation

Abstract

Background: Heart transplantation (HTx) is the final treatment option for patients with chronic heart failure. Several studies have reported that exercise therapy, which is a component of cardiac rehabilitation, improves exercise capacity and the quality of life (QOL) in patients with heart failure. Methods: Three patients, referred to an inpatient cardiac rehabilitation before HTx, participated in centerbased cardiac rehabilitation (CBCR) during the hospitalization period. The CBCR, including aerobic exercises and resistance training, was conducted 3-4 days/week under cardiac rehabilitation team. Clinical outcomes included QOL using short form (SF)-36 questionnaire and the level of physical activity using international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ) were evaluated before and after following the CBCR. Results: These patients showed an improved QOL in physical components with mean 32% and in mental components with mean 43%. The adherence to exercise confirmed by level of physical activity also increased as much as mean 1275 MET-minutes at 3 months after transplantation. Conclusions: The findings in case report show the safety and effectiveness of CBCR in patients waiting for HTx during hopitalization. This is the first case report showing the effect of CBCR in admission period in Korean patients undergoing HTx.

Current Role and Future Perspectives of Cardiac Rehabilitation in Heart Disease

“…Quality of life improved by an average of 43%; however, the study did not include a control group and was only one report on three patients. Nevertheless, it did confirm the feasibility and safety of CR participation before HT [ 33 ].…”