Predictors of functional capacity improvement after cardiac rehabilitation following coronary artery revascularization

Functional capacity improvement becomes a target therapy after cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program that may improve outcome beyond the quality of life. We aimed to assess the predictors of functional capacity improvement after CR program following coronary revascularization.

This was a retrospective cohort study included all revascularized CAD patients who underwent CR program phase II, 4-8 weeks (twice weekly), 6–12 sessions, moderate intensity aerobic exercises (ergocycle and/or treadmill) from January 2019–July 2023 in a tertiary hospital. The patient's functional capacity (METs) calculated at maximal stress test prior and after the program. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed using chi-square and logistic regression analysis, respectively.

A total of 377 patients enrolled, 132 patients completed CR program, 103 patients with complete data [mean age was 56.5±9.4, and 91.2% men] were included in this study. The mean METs prior and after procedure were 9.2±2.6 and 10.05±2.6, respectively. The mean improvement was 0.87±1.95. Of 103 participants, METs was improved in 80 patients (77,6%). Univariate analysis revealed that completeness of exercise program (80.58%), hypertension (40.77%), diabetes mellitus (DM) (31.06%), were significantly associated with METS improvement, while obesity (31.06%) and HFrEF(19.4%) had inversely associated. Other variables including age, sex, smoking, depression, and type of revascularization were not substantially linked. Multivariate analysis showed obesity [OR=0.261 (CI=0.081–0.841) ;p-value=0.024], completeness of exercise program [OR=5.223 (CI=1.472–18.53) ;p-value=0,011], DM [OR=4.98 (CI=1.13–21.90) ;p-value=0,033] and HFrEF [OR=0.234 (CI=0.063–0.87) ;p-value=0,03] were substantially linked with METS improvement.

Completeness of exercise program, obesity, DM and HFrEF were an independent predictors of functional capacity improvement after cardiac rehabilitation following coronary artery revascularization.

Baseline Characteristics.