Effect and Safety of Cardiac Rehabilitation Program in Heart Failure

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to investigate the effect and safety of cardiac rehabilitation program in heart failure. METHOD: 36 patients who suffered from heart failure with decreased left ventricular ejection fraction less than 50% by echocardiogram were recruited for study subject. They took graded exercise test before and after cardiac rehabilitation program. Cardiac rehabilitation program was consisted of 6~8 weeks monitoring exercise according to the result of exercise test. We reviewed the all courses of the program to see the safety and compared the several results to know the effect of the program. RESULTS: During totally 696 exercise-hours with ECG monitoring, 12 abnormal hemodynamic responses were happened, but those were minor in severity. All of them were managed successfully and could complete their exercise program as their schedules. Even in heart failure patients, cardiac rehabilitation program could improve exercise capacity in terms of increased maximal oxygen consumption, maximal exercise time, and maximal myocardial oxygen demand. Submaximal myocardial oxygen demand and rate of perceived exertion were significantly decreased after cardiac rehabilitation program. CONCLUSION: In case of prudent monitoring and proper management, cardiac rehabilitation program is safe and effective to improve exercise capacity in heart failure patient.