Abstract
Background: Exercise loading is contraindicated for patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS); however, everyday activities mandate the inclusion of a light load. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of exercise training for patients with severe AS who were admitted to a rehabilitation ward because of physical disability. Methods and Results: This historical cohort study was conducted at a single rehabilitation center in Japan. Patients admitted for rehabilitation of physical disability and those who met the definition of severe AS were analyzed. An exercise training program was implemented for patients with disability and severe AS. Cardiovascular symptoms during hospitalization were evaluated. Improvements in the performance of activities of daily living were assessed using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Eighteen patients undertook an exercise training program. The median patient age was 87 years (range 76-95 years). Of these patients, 3 died and another 3 were transferred to another hospital due to causes other than the exercise training program. None of the other patients experienced cardiovascular symptoms, and the FIM scores of 12 patients were significantly improved (median [range] scores at admission and discharge of 63 [32-88] and 87 [51-104], respectively; P<0.001). Conclusions: An exercise training program could be applied to patients with severe AS who were admitted for convalescent rehabilitation, because it can improve FIM scores.