Abstract

Rehabilitation for the patients with Ventricular Assist System. It is obviously crucial for patients with ventricular assist system(VAS) to nomal physical activity by rehabilitation. We have proposed a systematic program for rehabilitation during and after support by V A S.Since 1994, 5 patients underwent ventricular assist using a device of the National Cardiovascular Center type. In patients on VAS, rehabilitation was carried out by 4-grade method; that is, exercise load tests on bed, in upright position, on 100m walking, and by cycling. When tolerance became satisfactory in a grade, the next stage of exercise load was attempted. In patients coming off V A S, we chose 7-graded exercise loads, which were on bed, in upright position in the room, on 50m, 200m, and 500m walking, by Master half, and by Master single. This programmed rehabilitation proved to be efficient. Early introduction of rehabilitation did not cause major problems, but condition of patients befor VAS were related to that after application of VAS. Gradual up grade of rehabilitation was likely important after coming off VAS, particularly within its former 3 stage, and in crease of heart rates as well as clinical symptoms of cardiac failure should be carefully noticed if present