In-hospital Phase of Postoperative Cardiac Rehabilitation in Elderly Patients with Aortic Stenosis

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the progress of postoperative cardiac rehabilitation and physical function in elderly patients after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).
Methods: One hundred thirty-nine patients aged over 65 years with severe aortic stenosis (54 males and 85 females, aged 77 ± 7 years) who underwent elective conventional open heart AVR or TAVR were selected and divided into 3 groups; group A (AVR, < 80 years), group B (AVR ≥ 80 years), group C (TAVR). We evaluated the progress of postoperative cardiac rehabilitation and physical function at discharge. We assessed the ability of 100-m unassisted walk as a progress criterion of cardiac rehabilitation, and the short physical performance battery (SPPB) as an indicator of physical function before cardiac surgery and at discharge.
Results: Preoperative and postoperative SPPB score in group C were significantly lower than that in groups A and B (p < 0.05). Additionally, achievement of 100-m unassisted walk was significantly delayed in group C compared with groups A and B, although postoperative hospital stay was not significantly different among 3 groups.
Conclusion: Physical function of patients who underwent TAVR was considerably lower than elderly patients who had conventional open heart AVR. Similarly, progress of postoperative cardiac rehabilitation was delayed in patients who underwent TAVR compared with those who underwent conventional open heart AVR.