Autonomic Adaptation and Functional Capacity Outcomes after Hospital-based Cardiac Rehabilitation Post Coronary Artery by Pass Graft

Background and purpose: secondary prevention of coronary heart disease and increased exercise tolerance in patients who received coronary artery by pass graft (CABG) are the main goals of cardiac rehabilitation.

The aims of the present study were to evaluate the effect of in-patient cardiac rehabilitation program on autonomic recovery after CABG and on functional capacity.

Subjects and methodology: fifty male patients with coronary artery disease who had been operated upon CABG were involved in the present study. They were randomly divided into two groups; group A (training group) who participated in ten steps cardiac rehabilitation program with adjusted intensity about 85% of maximal heart rate. Group B (control group) continued to perform mild walking, calisthenics, breathing exercises without adjustment for exercise intensity. Heart rate recovery and resting, mean six minute walking distance and estimated peak VO2 were measured preoperative, 4th day after operation and after the end of the rehabilitation program.

Results: there was a statistical significant effect of time and the in traction of time by group. Also there was a statistical significant difference between both groups except for resting heart rate.

Conclusion: In patient cardiac rehabilitation for patients who had been operated for CABG is beneficiation for improving autonomic balance and functional capacity.