THE IMPORTANCE OF CARDIAC REHABILITATION FOR PATIENTS WITH SURGICALLY CORRECTED VALVULOPATHIES.

In the specialized literature, valvulopathies are defined as functional or organic conditions affecting one or more heart valves, disrupting their ability to open or close properly and affecting the heart's overall function. During surgery, the diseased heart valve is replaced with a prosthesis using extracorporeal circulation. Currently, the most commonly used prostheses are biological and mechanical. Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in the rehabilitation of patients with surgically corrected valvulopathies, primarily due to its beneficial effects on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, which help ensure functional independence. In the late 1970s, Dr. Nanette Wenger proposed the first cardiac rehabilitation program. This program recommended, for the first time, early mobilization of the patient, aiming to transition the patient from a supine position to sitting and eventually to moving within 14 days. The purpose of this study is to present and implement a cardiac rehabilitation program, as well as to analyse its effects based on the results obtained from monitoring and evaluating selected patients. The conclusions of this study validate the research hypothesis that the application of a cardiac rehabilitation program leads to an increase in effort capacity (and, consequently, the quality of life), in patients with valvulopathies surgically corrected by minimally invasive techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]