Author/Editor		Keber, I; Sušnik, Š; Gužič, B
Title		The rehabilitation after myocardial infarction in elderly patients
Type		članek
Source		In: Šugman R, Pavlovič M, editors. "Šport - zdravje - starost". Zbornik Mednarodno znanstveno srečanje ob 100-letnici olimpionika Leona Štuklja; 1998 nov 11-14; Bled. Ljubljana: Fakulteta za šport,
Publication year		1998
Volume		str. 225-30
Language		eng
Abstract		The rehabilitation with regular physical training and secondary preventive measures has become an integral part of medical management of patients after myocardial infarction (Mn, but only limited data about its effects are available for the elderly patients. We performed the retrospective analysis of consecutive patients having completed an out-patient rehabilitation program in convalescence after MI at the University Department of Angiology during the period between 1988 and 1997. We gathered the data of 475 patients (360 younger than 65 years and 115 elderly, aged 65 years or more). The symptom-limited exercise capacity (EC), determined by treadmill stress testing, the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) determined by echocardiography and serum lipids were evaluated before and after rehabilitation. The elderly patients were included in the rehabilitation program significantly later after index MI than younger ones (3.9+-6.l vs 2.8+-4.5 months after, p<0.05). The occurrence of various complications during rehabilitation was rare, but significantly more frequent in elderly than in younger patients. After rehabilitation, the elderly patients demonstrated significant improvement in symptom-limited EC, the increase being the same as in younger patients: in elderly patients it increased from 4.42+-1.70 to 5.90+-2.10 METs and in younger patients from 5.43+-2.00 to 7.21+-2.30 METs ( 1 MET=3.5 ml/kg/min). As in younger patients, the LVEF did not change after rehabilitation either in elderly patients with normal basal LVEF or in those with significant systolic dysfunction. After rehabilitation, no significant changes of serum lipid values were observed either in elderly or in younger patients. These data showed that an out-patient rehabilitation program in convalescence after myocardial infarction is effective and safe for elderly patients. (Abstract truncated at 2000 characters).
Descriptors		MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION EXERCISE THERAPY AGED HEALTH EDUCATION PHYSICAL FITNESS