Incidence and risk factors associated with cardiac arrhythmias during rehabilitation after coronary artery bypass surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical relevance of cardiac arrhythmias during rehabilitation after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.


METHODS
Survey of consecutive patients admitted to an inpatient cardiac rehabilitation center.


METHODS
A rehabilitation center acting as a reference for cardiology clinics lacking this facility. The program was performed in the inpatient setting.


METHODS
Two hundred sixty patients undergoing elective CABG surgery for angina.


METHODS
Four-week cardiac rehabilitation program. A 24-hour electrocardiographic examination was performed during the first 2 days and, subsequently, on a daily basis.


METHODS
Incidence and type of cardiac arrhythmias during rehabilitation; identification of factors associated with an increased risk of cardiac arrhythmias.


RESULTS
Cardiac arrhythmias were recorded in 33.5% of the patients and were more frequent in patients with hypertension (47%), diabetes (42.4%), and hyperlipidemia (36.5%), compared with patients free from these diseases (15.5%) (p < .05). Arrhythmias were also recorded in patients older than 70 years (49%), compared with those younger (29.2%) (p < .01), and in patients who discontinued amiodarone (64.3%) compared with those who did not interrupt the drug (16%) (p < .005). Arrhythmias precluded rehabilitation in 5% of the patients and caused death in one patient.


CONCLUSIONS
Surveillance for the development of cardiac arrhythmias during cardiac rehabilitation after CABG surgery may allow the early detection and treatment of arrhythmias in a substantial number of patients.
Galante
A
A
Department of Medical Semeiology and Methodology, University of Rome, Tor Vergata, Italy.
Pietroiusti
A
A
Cavazzini
C
C
Magrini
A
A
Bergamaschi
A
A
Sciarra
L
L
Chartouni
G
G
Legramante
J M
JM
Carta
S
S
D000368:Aged; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004576:Electromyography; D005080:Exercise Test; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors