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Early Postoperative Cardiac Rehabilitation in LVAD Patients: A Case Report

Received: 5 February 2024    Accepted: 21 February 2024    Published: 29 February 2024
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Abstract

This study emphasizes the crucial role of early mobilization and proactive physical therapy for individuals undergoing left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy in the context of chronic or end-stage heart failure. Given the intricate medical complexities and prolonged hospitalizations inherent in this patient cohort, specialized cardiac rehabilitation (CR) strategies emerge as indispensable components in cardiovascular medicine. Detailed herein is a case study featuring a 62-year-old male patient who underwent LVAD implantation and participated in a 7-week cardiac rehabilitation program. The observed outcomes revealed substantial improvements in exercise capacity and muscle strength, assessed through standardized physical assessments. Importantly, echocardiographic evaluation demonstrated no adverse effects on left ventricular function. This case underscores the pivotal significance of early rehabilitation intervention during the postoperative phase, particularly in patients exhibiting stable vital signs and hemodynamics. The findings contribute to the refinement of tailored rehabilitation approaches for LVAD recipients, thereby fostering enhanced clinical outcomes and an elevated quality of life in this specialized patient population. The study underscores the critical importance of implementing early rehabilitation strategies in the holistic care paradigm for LVAD recipients, with potential implications for optimizing therapeutic protocols and improving long-term patient outcomes in the field of cardiovascular rehabilitation.

Published in Cardiology and Cardiovascular Research (Volume 8, Issue 1)
DOI 10.11648/j.ccr.20240801.15
Page(s) 29-34
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Cardiac Rehabilitation, Left Ventricular Assist Device, Heart Failure, Physical Therapy

References
[1] Willemsen D, Cordes C, Bjarnason-Wehrens B, et al. [Rehabilitation standards for follow-up treatment and rehabilitation of patients with ventricular assist device (VAD)]. Clin Res Cardiol Suppl. Mar 2016; 11 Suppl 1: 2-49.
[2] Stehlik J, Mountis M, Haas D, et al. Quality of life and treatment preference for ventricular assist device therapy in ambulatory advanced heart failure: A report from the REVIVAL study. J Heart Lung Transplant. Jan 2020; 39(1): 27-36.
[3] Goldstein DJ, Meyns B, Xie R, et al. Third Annual Report From the ISHLT Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support Registry: A comparison of centrifugal and axial continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices. J Heart Lung Transplant. Apr 2019; 38(4): 352-363.
[4] Goldstein DJ, Naka Y, Horstmanshof D, et al. Association of Clinical Outcomes With Left Ventricular Assist Device Use by Bridge to Transplant or Destination Therapy Intent: The Multicenter Study of MagLev Technology in Patients Undergoing Mechanical Circulatory Support Therapy With HeartMate 3 (MOMENTUM 3) Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Cardiol. Apr 1 2020; 5(4): 411-419.
[5] Mehra MR, Goldstein DJ, Uriel N, et al. Two-Year Outcomes with a Magnetically Levitated Cardiac Pump in Heart Failure. N Engl J Med. Apr 12 2018; 378(15): 1386-1395.
[6] Eickmeyer SM, Barker KD, Sayyad A, Rydberg L. The Rehabilitation of Patients With Advanced Heart Failure After Left Ventricular Assist Device Placement: A Narrative Review. Pm r. Jan 2019; 11(1): 64-75.
[7] Hildebrandt A, Willemsen D, Reiss N, Bartsch P, Schmidt T, Bjarnason-Wehrens B. Characteristics, Therapeutic Needs, and Scope of Patients With a Continuous-Flow Left Ventricular Device Entering Cardiac Rehabilitation: A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS. J Cardiopulm Rehabil Prev. Mar 2019; 39(2): 91-96.
[8] Yost G, Coyle L, Milkevitch K, Adair R, Tatooles A, Bhat G. Efficacy of Inpatient Rehabilitation After Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation. Pm r. Jan 2017; 9(1): 40-45.
[9] Kerrigan DJ, Williams CT, Ehrman JK, et al. Cardiac rehabilitation improves functional capacity and patient-reported health status in patients with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices: the Rehab-VAD randomized controlled trial. JACC Heart Fail. Dec 2014; 2(6): 653-659.
[10] Ganga HV, Leung A, Jantz J, et al. Supervised exercise training versus usual care in ambulatory patients with left ventricular assist devices: A systematic review. PLoS One. 2017; 12(3): e0174323.
[11] Adamopoulos S, Corrà U, Laoutaris ID, et al. Exercise training in patients with ventricular assist devices: a review of the evidence and practical advice. A position paper from the Committee on Exercise Physiology and Training and the Committee of Advanced Heart Failure of the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology. Eur J Heart Fail. Jan 2019; 21(1): 3-13.
[12] Corrà U, Pistono M. Early mobilization in LVAD recipients: An obligatory step towards recovery. Monaldi Arch Chest Dis. Mar 27 2019; 89(1).
[13] Seo YG, Park WH, Oh S, et al. Clinical outcomes of inpatient cardiac rehabilitation for patients with treated left ventricular assist device in Korea: 1-year follow-up. J Exerc Rehabil. Jun 2019; 15(3): 481-487.
[14] Polastri M, Zagnoni G, Loforte A. Basic movements for postoperative exercise in patients with left ventricular assist devices. Monaldi Arch Chest Dis. Mar 20 2019; 89(1).
[15] Sommers J, Engelbert RH, Dettling-Ihnenfeldt D, et al. Physiotherapy in the intensive care unit: an evidence-based, expert driven, practical statement and rehabilitation recommendations. Clin Rehabil. Nov 2015; 29(11): 1051-1063.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Cao, Y., Zheng, G., Zhong, L., Chen, K., Wang, G., et al. (2024). Early Postoperative Cardiac Rehabilitation in LVAD Patients: A Case Report. Cardiology and Cardiovascular Research, 8(1), 29-34. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ccr.20240801.15

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    ACS Style

    Cao, Y.; Zheng, G.; Zhong, L.; Chen, K.; Wang, G., et al. Early Postoperative Cardiac Rehabilitation in LVAD Patients: A Case Report. Cardiol. Cardiovasc. Res. 2024, 8(1), 29-34. doi: 10.11648/j.ccr.20240801.15

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    AMA Style

    Cao Y, Zheng G, Zhong L, Chen K, Wang G, et al. Early Postoperative Cardiac Rehabilitation in LVAD Patients: A Case Report. Cardiol Cardiovasc Res. 2024;8(1):29-34. doi: 10.11648/j.ccr.20240801.15

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ccr.20240801.15,
      author = {Yi-qi Cao and Guo-qiang Zheng and Li-min Zhong and Ke-yi Chen and Gang Wang and Zhi-wei Mou},
      title = {Early Postoperative Cardiac Rehabilitation in LVAD Patients: A Case Report},
      journal = {Cardiology and Cardiovascular Research},
      volume = {8},
      number = {1},
      pages = {29-34},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ccr.20240801.15},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ccr.20240801.15},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ccr.20240801.15},
      abstract = {This study emphasizes the crucial role of early mobilization and proactive physical therapy for individuals undergoing left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy in the context of chronic or end-stage heart failure. Given the intricate medical complexities and prolonged hospitalizations inherent in this patient cohort, specialized cardiac rehabilitation (CR) strategies emerge as indispensable components in cardiovascular medicine. Detailed herein is a case study featuring a 62-year-old male patient who underwent LVAD implantation and participated in a 7-week cardiac rehabilitation program. The observed outcomes revealed substantial improvements in exercise capacity and muscle strength, assessed through standardized physical assessments. Importantly, echocardiographic evaluation demonstrated no adverse effects on left ventricular function. This case underscores the pivotal significance of early rehabilitation intervention during the postoperative phase, particularly in patients exhibiting stable vital signs and hemodynamics. The findings contribute to the refinement of tailored rehabilitation approaches for LVAD recipients, thereby fostering enhanced clinical outcomes and an elevated quality of life in this specialized patient population. The study underscores the critical importance of implementing early rehabilitation strategies in the holistic care paradigm for LVAD recipients, with potential implications for optimizing therapeutic protocols and improving long-term patient outcomes in the field of cardiovascular rehabilitation.
    },
     year = {2024}
    }
    

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    T1  - Early Postoperative Cardiac Rehabilitation in LVAD Patients: A Case Report
    AU  - Yi-qi Cao
    AU  - Guo-qiang Zheng
    AU  - Li-min Zhong
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    AU  - Gang Wang
    AU  - Zhi-wei Mou
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    DO  - 10.11648/j.ccr.20240801.15
    T2  - Cardiology and Cardiovascular Research
    JF  - Cardiology and Cardiovascular Research
    JO  - Cardiology and Cardiovascular Research
    SP  - 29
    EP  - 34
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2578-8914
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ccr.20240801.15
    AB  - This study emphasizes the crucial role of early mobilization and proactive physical therapy for individuals undergoing left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy in the context of chronic or end-stage heart failure. Given the intricate medical complexities and prolonged hospitalizations inherent in this patient cohort, specialized cardiac rehabilitation (CR) strategies emerge as indispensable components in cardiovascular medicine. Detailed herein is a case study featuring a 62-year-old male patient who underwent LVAD implantation and participated in a 7-week cardiac rehabilitation program. The observed outcomes revealed substantial improvements in exercise capacity and muscle strength, assessed through standardized physical assessments. Importantly, echocardiographic evaluation demonstrated no adverse effects on left ventricular function. This case underscores the pivotal significance of early rehabilitation intervention during the postoperative phase, particularly in patients exhibiting stable vital signs and hemodynamics. The findings contribute to the refinement of tailored rehabilitation approaches for LVAD recipients, thereby fostering enhanced clinical outcomes and an elevated quality of life in this specialized patient population. The study underscores the critical importance of implementing early rehabilitation strategies in the holistic care paradigm for LVAD recipients, with potential implications for optimizing therapeutic protocols and improving long-term patient outcomes in the field of cardiovascular rehabilitation.
    
    VL  - 8
    IS  - 1
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Department of Rehabilitation, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China

  • Department of Rehabilitation, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China

  • Department of Rehabilitation, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China

  • Department of Rehabilitation, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China

  • Department of Rehabilitation, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China

  • Department of Rehabilitation, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China

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