Cardiac Rehabilitation and Surgery: Epidemiological and Clinical Aspects

Introduction: Cardiac rehabilitation is defined as a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to secondary prevention. Its main components include patient assessment (exercise capacity, ventricular function and the existence or risk of arrhythmias), therapeutic education and control of cardiovascular risk factors, optimization of drug therapy, psychosocial support and, of course, personalized physical training. Method: The Basse Terre hospital department served as the setting for this study. All patients admitted to the department for cardiac rehabilitation were our target population. All patients operated on and admitted to the cardiology department for cardiac rehabilitation constituted our study population. A pre-established survey form and patient records were used to collect data. Ethical principles and patient confidentiality were paramount. Results: The prevalence was 13%. The mean age of our patients was 59.66 ± 12.9 years. Valve replacement was 25%; coronary artery bypass grafting was 75%; Kardégic 83.33%, CHBT protocol 83.33%, muscle fatigue 66.66%. 58.33% had 3 - 8 Watts at initial assessment and ≥15 Watts at final assessment. 8.33% atrial dilatation, and 16.66% segmental hypokinesia. 8.33% VO₂ and ESV and Q necrosis. Conclusion: Exercise testing is a reliable means of assessing patients’ functional capacity.