Exercise Training and Cardiac Rehabilitation in Patients After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Comprehensive Assessment and Prescription

Current guidelines on acute and chronic coronary syndromes recommend comprehensive and multidisciplinary exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation in Class I. Indeed, in patients after a percutaneous coronary intervention, this supervised and structured rehabilitation program improves cardiovascular risk and reduces adverse events and mortality. After an initial assessment, including a peak exercise capacity evaluation, patients follow a tailored multidisciplinary program consisting of aerobic and resistance exercise training, risk factor management, dietary counselling, physical activity counselling, weight control management, psychosocial support, and education. However, tailored management and exercise prescription require careful assessment and risk consideration of several variables such as left ventricular dysfunction, comorbidities, aging, coronary artery disease severity, physical activity capacity, and type of coronary syndrome. The functional and prognostic benefits of cardiac rehabilitation have been widely demonstrated in patients after a percutaneous coronary intervention; however, referral is still limited, although exercise should be strongly recommended to these patients in the context of cardiovascular prevention. Therefore, the aim of our article is to provide an updated, critical, and state-of-the-art review of exercise training and cardiac rehabilitation programs in patients after a percutaneous coronary intervention. Furthermore, practical approaches to the management of these patients with a multidisciplinary and personalized intervention will be provided.