Study of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation versus cardiac rehabilitation in patients suffering from coronary artery diseases and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

Introduction Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and coronary artery disease are common treatable and preventable chronic diseases. Rehabilitation is now considered an important part of the long-term management in both diseases and includes exercise, education, and smoking cessation. Patients and methods This study included 40 patients with COPD and coronary artery disease referred to the cardiac rehabilitation unit at Ain Shams University hospitals. Patients were assessed by clinical assessment, ECG, ECHO, modified Bruce protocol, spirometry, and St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). Then, patients were divided into two groups: a cardiac rehabilitation group and a cardiopulmonary rehabilitation group. All patients received 8-12 weeks of rehabilitation and were reassessed by spirometry, the modified Bruce protocol, and SGRQ. Results Both groups improved in terms of spirometric parameters (forced expiratory volume in 1 s and forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity), SGRQ, and metabolic equivalents of tasks, but there was a statistically significant in resting heart rate in the cardiopulmonary rehabilitation group. Conclusion The inclusion of upper limb exercise and inspiratory muscles training in pulmonary rehabilitation improves exercise tolerance in patients suffering from both COPD and coronary artery disease compared with cardiac rehabilitation alone.