Effect of home exercise rehabilitation on cardiopulmonary function in patients after PCI: a retrospective cohort study

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to compare the effects of different durations of home exercise rehabilitation on left ventricular remodeling and cardiopulmonary function in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods All patients received individualized home exercise rehabilitation guidance and treatment after discharge from the hospital. Echocardiography and CPET were performed before and after the rehabilitation intervention. The echocardiographic parameters and CPET results of the two groups were compared before and after rehabilitation. Differences between the groups were compared for each parameter. Results Forty patients were enrolled. Patients were divided into long-term home rehabilitation group (6–12 months, n = 18) and short-term home rehabilitation group (3 to < 6 months, n = 22).The CPET parameters ATVO2, peak VO2/kg, and peak METs in the long-term home rehabilitation group increased after rehabilitation compared with those before rehabilitation (P < 0.05). Except for the decrease in the VE/VCO2 slope, which was not statistically significant (P > 0.05), ATVO2, peak VO2/HR, peak VO2/kg, peak METs, and peak power all increased in the long-term home rehabilitation group compared with the short-term home rehabilitation group(P < 0.05). LVEDd and LVESd were lower in the long-term home rehabilitation group than in the short-term home rehabilitation group(P < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis of the correlation between LVEF and CPET parameters suggested that LVEF had a positive and statistically significant correlation with ATVO2 and peak power (r = 0.7156828,P = 0.009 and r = 0.457907,P = 0.034). Conclusion Long-term home rehabilitation of patients with ACS after PCI improved the cardiopulmonary function and exercise capacity.