Eligibility criteria and patient recruitment
malignant arrhythmia, congenital heart disease, stroke, musculoskeletal disabilities, obstructive pulmonary diseases
STROKE, UNSTABLE ANGINA, NEUROMUSCULAR DISEASES, HYPERTENSION, ACUTE HEART FAILURE
In the beginning of the study, post elective CABG surgery patients more than 18 years of age or older who underwent CR program in NCCHK were recruited. The phase II CR is defined as a program conducted in the outpatient setting (center-based) after patient discharge. CABG surgery was performed within a one month period. Patients are eligible to begin an early phase II CR program if their six-minute walking test (6MWT) results > 240 m and Hb > 10 mg/dL. Participants with unstable angina, severe hypertension, acute heart failure, malignant arrhythmia, neuromuscular diseases, obstructive pulmonary diseases, stroke, and musculoskeletal disabilities were excluded from the study. This study also excluded CABG surgery patients with concomitant valve replacement or repair and congenital heart disease procedures.