Background / Aim. Well-organized cardiovascular rehabilitation (CVR) reduces
cardiovascular burden by influencing cardiovascular risk factors, improving
the quality of life and reducing mortality and hospital readmission.
However, its effects on hemodynamic status are largely unknown. The aim of
our study was to evaluate the influence of three-week CVR program on
hemodynamic status and to investigate if there is a correlation between
physical strain tolerance and hemodynamic parameters measured by impedance
cardiography (ICG) before and after CVR program in patients with coronary
artery disease. Methods. Fifty-two patients attended a three-week CVR
program. At the beginning and at the end of rehabilitation program
laboratory tests, exercise stress tests (EST) and ICG measurements were
taken. Results. Patients showed better strain tolerance on the second
exercise stress test (EST2) by achieving higher strain level (Z=2,315;
p=0,021) and longer duration of test (Z=2,305; p=0,021). There was a strong
positive correlation between the level of EST2 and cardiac output (CO)
(r=0,538; p<0,001) and stroke volume (SV) (r=0,380; p=0,017) on the second
ICG (ICG2). Also, there was a strong negative correlation between EST2 level
and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) (r=-0,472; p=0,002) and SVR index
(SSVRI) (r=-0,407; p=0,010) on ICG2. There was a strong positive correlation
between EST2 duration and CO (r=0.517; p=0.001) as well as between EST2
duration and SV (r=0.340; p=0.034), and a strong negative correlation
between EST2 duration and SVR (r=-0.504; p=0.001) as well as between EST2
duration and SVRI (r=-0.448; p=0.004), according to ICG2. Conclusion. Our
study showed that a well-designed CVR program can lead to better physical
strain tolerance. Furthermore, CVR led to a significant positive correlation
between EST and cardiac output as well as between EST and stroke volume
measured by ICG. On the other hand, there was a significant negative
correlation between EST and vascular related parameters according to ICG at
the end of the CVR program.