Early Phase II Comprehensive Cardiac Rehabilitation after Acute Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND

Cardiac rehabilitation is beneficial for patients after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, most institutes perform outpatient training phase (phase II) of post-MI cardiac rehabilitation after 2-4 weeks. To evaluate the possibility of performing cardiac rehabilitation with an earlier schedule after STEMI.

METHODS

We conducted a series of early phase II cardiac rehabilitation starting from 5-7 days after STEMI, including the training group (n = 28) and the control group (n = 42).

RESULTS

The results showed an improved mental component summary of the SF-36 questionnaire after 6 months in the training group. No adverse event was noticed during this early phase II training.

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiac rehabilitation after STEMI might be started earlier than previously thought for clinical use or further research.