A significância da avaliação intra-hospitalar da capacidade funcional na síndrome coronariana aguda

Background: Functional capacity (FC) can be assessed through the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), but is not usually performed for pre-discharge patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Objective: To assess the significance of functional capacity (FC) through the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) among patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in a coronary care unit (CCU). Methods: Experimental cross-section study of 23 patients with stable ACS: 14 men and 9 women, with a mean age of 57 years. All underwent 6MWT for FC assessment before discharge from hospital (4th to 6th day) in the unit hallway. The distance covered was measured together with the Borg scale, respiratory rate, heart rate, systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressure, as well as oxygen saturation, before and after the test. Results: The application of the 6MWT demonstrated that all the variables (other than the variable mean blood pressure) presented significant differences (p<0.05). Comparing the distance walked to the sample and predictive figures, the paired t-test revealed a significant difference (p=0.0001), but when compared to the predictive-based lower level, no significant difference appeared (p=0.085). Conclusion: The results of this study point to a reduction in the FC of patients with stable ACS in the CCU, confirming the reproducibility of the 6MWT and the sensitivity of the test as required for safe evaluations of performance and FC prior to discharge.