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Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2021; 69(01): 070-082
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1691837
Review Article

Inpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation of LVAD Patients—Updated Recommendations from the Working Group of the German Society for Prevention and Rehabilitation of Cardiovascular Diseases

Nils Reiss
1   Schüchtermann-Klinik Bad Rothenfelde, Bad Rothenfelde, Germany
,
Thomas Schmidt
1   Schüchtermann-Klinik Bad Rothenfelde, Bad Rothenfelde, Germany
2   Institute of Cardiology and Sports Medicine, German Sports University, Cologne, Germany
,
Eike Langheim
3   Reha-Zentrum Seehof der DRV-Bund, Teltow, Germany
,
Birna Bjarnason-Wehrens
2   Institute of Cardiology and Sports Medicine, German Sports University, Cologne, Germany
,
Roger Marx
4   MediClin Fachklinik Rhein/Ruhr, Essen, Germany
,
Jürgen R. Sindermann
1   Schüchtermann-Klinik Bad Rothenfelde, Bad Rothenfelde, Germany
,
Ernst Knoglinger
5   Kirchberg-Klinik, Bad Lauterberg, Germany
› Author Affiliations
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Abstract

Cardiac rehabilitation physicians are faced to an increasing number of heart failure patients supported by left ventricular assist devices (LVAD). Many of these patients have complex medical issues and prolonged hospitalizations and therefore need special cardiac rehabilitation strategies including psychological, social, and educational support which are actually poorly implemented.

Cardiac rehabilitation with clear guidance and more evidence should be considered as an essential component of the patient care plan especially regarding the increasing number of destination patients and their long-term follow-up.

In this article the working group for postimplant treatment and rehabilitation of LVAD patients of the German Society for Prevention and Rehabilitation of Cardiovascular Diseases has summarized and updated the recommendations for the cardiac rehabilitation of LVAD patients considering the latest literature.

Keywords

heart failure - left ventricular assist device - rehabilitation


Publication History

Received: 28 December 2018

Accepted: 17 April 2019

Article published online:
06 June 2019

© 2019. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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