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Learning Objective 1: The learner will be able to know subjects with lower NYHA functional levels had significant more improvement on Barthel Index.
Learning Objective 2: The learner will be able to know more improvement on functional capacity were seen in the subjects whose LVEF ≧60%.
Methods: This is a structured observation study. From April to September 2010, 42 subjects who scheduled for an elective CABG were enrolled from a 2200-bed medical center in Taipei. Data on demographics, severity of illness, perception of pain, activities of daily function (ADLs; measured by Barthel Index), hand muscle strength (measured by hand-held dynamometer), and functional capacity (measured by 6-minute walking test) were assessed at three time points: admission, discharge, and 2-4 weeks after discharge.
Results: The results showed that physical function including ADLs, hand muscle strength, and functional capacity were at the lowest point by discharge but ADLs and functional capacity recovered to admission baseline by 2-4 weeks after discharge. Subjects with lower NYHA functional levels had significant more improvement on Barthel Index (p=0.009). Conversely, more improvement on functional capacity were seen in the subjects whose LVEF ≧60% compared to their counterparts (65.3 m vs. -8.2 m; p=0.019).
Conclusion: These findings provided insights on changes of physical function for Taiwanese patients underwent CABG surgery.