title: French registry of cases of type I acute aortic dissection admitted to a cardiac rehabilitation center after surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  After surgery for type I acute aortic dissection, the aorta remains partly dissected. This new population of patients is now referred to cardiac rehabilitation centers (CRCs). The feasibility of subsequent physical exercise is unknown.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-three consecutive patients (aged 55.1+/-9.3 years) were included in a prospective registry with clinical and radiological follow-up for 1 year after admission to a CRC. Twenty-six patients had undergone standard training sessions with exercise on a bicycle ergometer. Physical training programs included calisthenics, respiratory physiotherapy, walking, and cycling. Seven patients did not perform standard exercise training sessions but only walking and respiratory physiotherapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For trained patients, the sessions (18+/-10) were carried out at 11.3+/-1.5 on the Borg scale ('light'), with blood pressure monitoring on exercise (<160 mmHg in 75% of patients). Maximum workload during exercise test (bicycle ergometer, 10 watts/min) increased from 62.7+/-11.8 to 91.6+/-16.5 watts (P=0.002). We identified three complications in two patients requiring further thoracic aorta surgery during follow-up. There was also one case of aortic valve replacement after 5 months and three cases of peripheral ischemia. No deaths, cerebral vascular accidents, or myocardial infarctions were recorded. Ten of the 19 patients of working age were able to return to work.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Physical training of moderate intensity seems feasible and beneficial in postsurgical type I aortic dissection patients.
authors.affiliation: Centre Médical de Bligny, Briis Sous Forges, France. s.corone@cm-bligny.com
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Corone
authors.forename: Marie-Christine
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Iliou
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pierre
authors.forename: Jean-Michel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Feige
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Odjinkem
authors.forename: Titi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Farrokhi
authors.forename: Faouzi
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bechraoui
authors.forename: Stéphanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hardy
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Meurin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000145:classification / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery; D015444:Exercise; D005080:Exercise Test; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010343:Patient Admission; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012042:Registries; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D012138:Respiratory Therapy