Influence of physical activity during leisure time in patients in the two-year follow-up period after CABG

Article received on April 28th, 2010 Article accepted on July 19th, 2010 Abstract Objective: To investigate the effect of physical activity in leisure time (LTPA) on the prognosis of patients two years after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods: Cohort study with 202 elective CABG patients, mean age of patients was 62 ± 10 years, 134 (66%) men divided into sedentary and active according their LTPA. Followed for two years after CAGB where the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACES) were found, and changes in physical activity. Results: Thirty-eight had MACES. Twenty-nine were sedentary, nine active (P=0.18). Active: three (4.5%) readmissions, three (4.5%) deaths and two (3%) stroke. Sedentary: seven (5.1%) acute myocardial infarction (AMI), seven (5.1%) readmissions, 16 (11.6%) deaths and one (0.7%) stroke. LTPA decreased from preoperative to the postoperative period. Sedentary: 2.09 (± 0.58) and 2.08 (± 0.57); active: 2.53 (± 0.73) and 2.33 (± 0.71). The leisure and locomotion activities in the preoperative and postoperative: Sedentary increased 2.08 (± 1.09) and 2.13 (± 0.78); active reduction 2.53 (± 0.73) and 2.27 (± 1.12). The 6-minute walk test increased pre and postoperative. Sedentary: 255 m (± 167.06 m) and 377 m (± 190.63 m); active: 337 m (± 172.42 m) and 405 m (± 148.93 m). The veterans specific activity questionnaire increased the pre and postoperative. Sedentary: 4.39 (±1.80) and 6.99 (± 3.08); active: 4.44 (± 1.82) and 8.50 (± 3.16). Conclusion: The results indicate that LTPA does not modify the late prognostic of CABG patients, but CABG itself promotes physical activity and improves long-term functional capacity.