Cardiovascular behavior during rehabilitation after coronary artery bypass grafting

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to assess the behavior of cardiovascular variables during an in-hospital cardiovascular rehabilitation program in patients following myocardial revascularization surgery. METHODS: A total of 14 patients (mean age: 55.4 ± 6.4 years, 78.6% male) participated in the study, all of whom had a previous diagnosis of coronary insufficiency and indication for elective surgery. The protocol consisted of a group of low-impact (2-3 METs) upper/lower extremity and walking exercises performed both pre and post-operatively (3rd and 4th days). The following variables were evaluated at rest and following the exercise program: heart rate (HR, bpm); systolic arterial pressure (SAP, mmHg); diastolic arterial pressure (DAP, mmHg); mean arterial pressure (MAP, mmHg); double product (DPr, bpm/mmHg); and the Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in HR and DPr in the individual analysis (P<0.001) as well as in between days (P<0.001 for HR and P<0.05 for DPr), but only attaining maximal values that were ≤ 30% of predicted. Moreover, a negative correlation was found between the RPE scale and both SAP and MAP. CONCLUSION: The exercises proposed proved to be safe with the change in key physiologic variables throughout the experiment below recommended values for the hospitalization phase. Furthermore, the RPE scale appears to have a correlation with some hemodynamic variables and thus may be a useful tool for this group of patients.