Physical Rehabilitation in Patients With Complex Congenital Heart Disease

Studies have shown that patients with congenital heart disease have functional changes compared to healthy individuals. Several interventions can be performed to minimize these changes; physical rehabilitation is one of these possible treatments that can generate numerous benefits for patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the response to physical rehabilitation in patients after surgical correction of congenital heart disease. Methods This cross-sectional study included patients with complex congenital heart disease who underwent surgical correction. Different examinations were performed: cardiopulmonary exercise was used; and the six-minute walk test was used to determine functional capacity, the quality of life cardiac version questionnaire was used to determine quality of life. Descriptive analysis of patients was performed for all the data.