Evaluation of effects of cardiac rehabilitation in patients after coronary artery bypass grafting by six minute walk test]

Exercise capacity testing is a procedure that enables enrollment into cardiac rehabilitation (CR) and CR effects evaluation. Six minute walk test (6MWT) is an easy and measurable method of exercise capacity assessment in patients after acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The aim of study was to evaluate effects of CR in patients after cardiac surgery for ACS using 6MWT MATERIAL AND METHODS: 50 patients (aged 41-65 years; mean age 56.7 +/- 9.1; 43 male and 7 female) after cardiac surgery for ACS NSTEMI were enrolled into the study. 6MWT was performed on admission and after the second stage of CR.The mean 6MWD (expressed in meters +/- SD) was 522.14 +/- 69.5 before CR and 584 +/- 70.8 after 4-week-long CR period (p < 0.05). The mean distance walked in patients before CR was 138,16% of recommended minimal value; in patients after CR was 154.37% of recommended minimal value, respectively, (p < 0.05). The mean distance walked by patients before CR was 98.26% of the recommended mean value; in patients after CR it was 109.83% of the recommended mean value, respectively (p < 0.05). None of the performed tests required interruption and none of the individuals required assistance during 6MWT. CONCLUSIONS. In patients after cardiac surgery 6MWT is a useful method of CR effects evaluation. Test is a well-tolerated and safe procedure for assessment of functional capacity in patients after cardiac surgery with an increased risk of ACS and reduced exercise capacity.