Article

The aim of this study was to evaluate outcomes of patients
participating in inpatient rehabilitation program after left ventricular assist
device (LVAD) implantation. DESIGN: Medical records of 94 patients who received
LVADs between January 1, 2008, and June 30, 2010, at the Mayo Clinic in
Rochester, MN, were retrospectively reviewed for demographic data, and inpatient
rehabilitation functional outcomes were measured by the Functional Independence
Measure scale. RESULTS: After successful implantation of LVAD, the patients were
either discharged directly home from acute care (44%) or admitted to inpatient
rehabilitation (56%). The patients admitted to inpatient rehabilitation were
older than those discharged home. They were also more medically complex and more
likely to have the LVAD placed as destination therapy. At discharge, significant
improvement occurred in 17 of the 18 activities evaluated by the Functional
Independence Measure scale. The mean total Functional Independence Measure scale
score at admission was 77.1 compared with a score of 95.2 at discharge (P <
0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Approximately half of the patients who received LVAD
therapy were admitted in the inpatient rehabilitation. After the implantation of
LVAD and inpatient rehabilitation, significant functional improvements were
observed. Further studies addressing the role of inpatient rehabilitation for
LVAD patients are warranted.

Langue : ANGLAIS