Does pretransplantation etiology have any effect on exercise results in heart transplant patients?
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of pre-transplantation etiology and post-transplantation exercise on pulmonary function tests, functional capacities, psychological symptoms and quality of life among heart transplant patients.


METHODS
An eight-week exercise program was applied to 35 heart transplant patients with histories of ischemic heart failure (HF; n = 20) or dilated HF (n = 15). All patients were evaluated before and after exercise in terms of breathing function tests, functional capacity (FVC; maximal oxygen consumption, pVO2), psychological symptoms (Beck Depression Scale (BDS), Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)) and quality of life (Short Form 36, SF-36).


RESULTS
At the end of the exercise compared to the pre-exercise period significant improvements were observed in all FVC%, FeV1%, FeV1/FVC%, pVO2, SF 36 scores reflecting physical function, physical role, pain, general health, vitality, social function, and emotional role (P < 0.05) among heart transplant patients who were operated due to ischemic or dilated heart failure. In contrast, no significant improvement was observed in the BDS and STAI scales (P > 0.05). There was no significant etiology-related difference between the groups in terms of the evaluated parameters (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
We demonstrated improvements in function tests, functional capacity and quality of life for both ischemic and dilated heart transplant patients following a supervised exercise program. We concluded that the positive effect achieved by exercise was not related to pre-transplantation etiology. Whatever the preoperative etiology, a regular exercise program is recommended for heart transplant patients in the rehabilitation unit.
Karapolat
H
H
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ege University Medical Faculty, Bornova, Turkey. haleuzum76@hotmail.com
Yagdi
T
T
Zoghi
M
M
Eyigor
S
S
Engin
C
C
Nalbantgil
S
S
Durmaz
B
B
Ozbaran
M
M
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000601:surgery; D015444:Exercise; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000145:classification / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000601:surgery; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult