The Effects of Cardiac Rehabilitation in Patients with ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction and Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of cardiac rehabilitation between patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). METHOD: Thirty three patients with STEMI or NSTEMI who underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty were recruited. All patients participated in cardiac rehabilitation program including ECG monitoring exercise for 6 weeks. Several parameters such as exercise duration, oxygen consumption, heart rate, blood pressure and rate pressure product were evaluated through graded exercise test before and 6 months after initiation of cardiac rehabilitation program. RESULTS: After cardiac rehabilitation program, the STEMI group showed significant changes in exercise time, maximum oxygen consumption, resting heart rate and submaximal rate pressure product. The NSTEMI group also showed significant improvement of exercise time, maximum oxygen consumption and submaximal rate pressure product. There was no significant difference in the changing rate between two groups. CONCLUSION: Both the STEMI and the NSTEMI groups showed similar improvement of cardiopulmonary exercise capacity 6 months after cardiac rehabilitation program.