The effect of left ventricular assist device implantation on functional capacity and exercise performance in heart failure patients

ABSTRACT Abdulov Y. The Effect of Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation on Functional Capacity and Exercise Performance in Heart Failure Patients. T.C. Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Specialist Thesis. İzmir, 2017. Introduction: The aim of this study is to compare the preoperative and postoperative results of functional capacity (metabolic test-PVO2) and exercise performance (6 min walking test) in patients with left ventricular support device decision in the KKY council of Ege University Faculty of Medicine between 2012-2017. Materials and Methods: The total number of patients who received a decision in the study due to CHF in 2012-2017 was 300, and the total number of patients that met the inclusion criteria was 71. All of the patients who met the research criteria in the study were included in the analyzes and cumulatively reached 23.7% of the study population. In the study, the relationship between gender, age, follow-up period, implant type and some clinical features and functional capacity test scores such as 6-min walk test and metabolic Vo2 test were evaluated. Results: The study showed a significant increase in postop 6 min walking and Vo2 Metabolic Test compared to preop turn (p˂ 0,001). There was no significant difference between groups of 45 years (above and below) and 6 minutes of preop and postop and Vo2 test values (p ˃ 0.05). However, both tests (6 min walking test, Vo2 test) in both age groups were significantly higher than postop values (p <0.05). There was no significant difference between gender and preop and postop 6 minutes walking and Vo2 test values (p˃ 0,05). There was no significant difference between implant time and implanted support device type in terms of preop and postop 6 min walk and Vo2 test values (p ˃ 0,05). However, in both types of device implantation, both tests (6 min walk test, Vo2 test) were recorded to have significantly higher postop values than preop values (p <0,05). Conclusion: Patients with end-stage heart failure have been shown to significantly improve the quality of life of patients by implanting left ventricular assist device, resulting in increased functional capacity and exercise performance of the patients. Key words: Left Ventricular Assist Device, Heartmate II, Heartware, 6 minutes Walk test, Functional Capacity