Early exercise intervention at the bedside in patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation after cardiac surgery

Objective To evaluate the effects of early exercise intervention in patients who have undergone primary isolated valve surgery.

Methods Forty patients scheduled for mitral, aortic, and/or tricuspid valve surgery were allocated to receive a supervised exercise intervention consisting of cycling for 3 min/d at the bedside after operation (intervention group, n=20, mean age 49.05±3.728 years) or to receive no exercise intervention (control group, n=20, mean age 47.95 ± 3.214 years). Oxygen saturation (SpO₂) was measured by pulse oximetry continuously before and after the 6-minute walk test. Psycho-educational counseling was provided, and patients were assessed using standard patient questionnaires.

Results The arterial SpO₂ level increased significantly in the intervention group after exercise compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Heart rate returned to baseline in the intervention group postoperatively and was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusions A small amount of supervised cycling exercise at the bedside is a safe activity that may improve peripheral arterial SpO₂ and reduce heart rate to the baseline level following longer distance walk before discharge in patients who have undergone isolated valve surgery.