Effect and Safety of Cardiac Rehabilitation Program in Heart Failure.

, Kim, Chul; , Ahn, Jae Ki; , Bang, In Keol; , Kim, Young Jin

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine 2005;29(1):92-97.

Kim, Chul , Ahn, Jae Ki , Bang, In Keol , Kim, Young Jin

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Inje University College of Medicine, Korea. josephck@sanggyepaik.ac.kr

심부전증에서의 심장재활 프로그램의 효과와 안정성

김철, 안재기, 방인걸, 김용진

인제대학교 의과대학 재활의학교실

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. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2005; 29: 92-97)

Key Words: Cardiac rehabilitation, Heart failure, Monitoring exercise