Published online Mar 16, 2022. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v10.i8.2577
Peer-review started: September 13, 2021
First decision: November 11, 2021
Revised: November 16, 2021
Accepted: January 29, 2022
Article in press: January 29, 2022
Published online: March 16, 2022
Insertion of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and heart transplantation (HT) improve the survival of patients with heart failure. In addition, cardiac rehabilitation (CR) further increases the functional capacity. This case report describes a successful case of CR after LVAD insertion and subsequent HT.
In the present case, during the LVAD insertion period, peak oxygen consumption (VO2) increased by 12.16% after CR. HT was performed 7 mo after the LVAD insertion, and the patient participated in phases I and II CR. The peak VO2 increased from 17.24 to 22.29 mL/kg/min. This improvement was more significant than that reported in previous studies on CR after LVAD insertion or HT. The patient’s quality of life also improved. The total average score of the short form-36 questionnaire increased from 29.5 points at admission to 53.3 points 9 mo after HT.
A tailored CR program after LVAD insertion or HT may improve the patients’ quality of life and increase survival.
Core Tip: This case report describes a successful case of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) insertion and subsequent heart transplantation (HT). Increase in the peak oxygen consumption was more significant than that reported in previous studies on CR after LVAD insertion or HT. A tailored exercise program for each phase led to improvement in the patient’s quality of life.