Abstract
Background
Rehabilitation after LVAD implantation is increasingly used. We developed the novel method of comprehensive rehabilitation starting directly after LVAD implantation.
Study group
21 recent LVAD (15 Heart Mate III, 6 HeartWare) recipients (56.2±11.7 yrs, 100% men) were included to 5-week rehabilitation program, which included supervised endurance training on cycloergometer (5 times per week), resistance training, general fitness exercises with elements of equivalent and coordination exercises (every day). 6-minute walking test (6MWT), cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) and prognostic biomarkers: NT-proBNP, Galectin-3 and ST2 were investigated at the beginning and at the end of rehabilitation program.
Results
See Table 1.
At the end of rehabilitation program, significant increase in 6MWT distance, maximum workload, peak VO2 and upward shift of anaerobic threshold in CPET were observed in all patients. Significant reductions of NTproBNP, ST2 and galectin-3 levels were observed. There were no major adverse events during rehabilitaton.
Conclusions
Comprehensive novel rehabilitation in LVAD recipients is safe and results in significant improvement of 6-minutes walking test distance and cardiopulmonary exercise test results. Moreover, this novel rehabilitation program reduces levels of prognostic biomarkers of heart failure: NT-proBNP, Galectin-3 and ST2.
Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): National Center for Research and Development - STRATEGMED II project
Response to letter to the editor by Dr. Vitor Oliveira Carvalho and Guilherme Veiga Guimaraes: Is the 6-min walking test a submaximal exercise test in heart failure patients?
