Prehabilitation program for elective coronary artery bypass graft surgery patients: a pilot randomized controlled study:

Objective:To determine the feasibility of a cardiac prehabilitation (Prehab) program for patients waiting for elective coronary artery bypass graft (CABG).Design:A two-group parallel randomized controlled trial.Setting:Medical fitness facility.Subjects:Seventeen preoperative elective CABG surgery patients were randomized to standard care (n = 9) or Prehab (n = 8).Intervention:Standard care: three-hour preassessment appointment. Prehab: exercise and education classes for 60 minutes/day, twice weekly for at least four weeks.Main measures:Data were collected at baseline, one week preoperatively, and three months postoperatively. The primary outcome measure was walking distance using a 6-minute walk test. Secondary outcome variables included 5-meter gait speed, and cardiac rehabilitation attendance three months postoperatively.Results:Fifteen patients (standard care, n = 7; Prehab, n = 8) completed the study. No Prehab patients developed cardiac symptoms during study participation. Walking distance remained u...