Usefulness of preoperative exercise tolerance to predict late survival and symptom persistence after surgery for chronic nonischemic mitral regurgitation

Preoperative exercise and recovery after cardiac surgery: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the association between preoperative exercise and recovery after cardiac surgery.

METHODS

Literature comparing preoperative exercise and the control group for patients receiving cardiac surgery was retrieved in multiple databases. Review Manager 5.2 was adopted for meta-analysis, sensitivity analysis and bias analysis.

RESULTS

Finally, 6 relevant studies satisfied the inclusion criteria. There was significant difference in length of stay in intensive care unit (ICU) (MD- = 1.35, 95%CI [- 2.64, - 0.06], P = 0.04; P for heterogeneity < 0.0001, I2 = 88%) and physical function after operation (P of heterogeneity = 0.32, I2 = 12%, Z = 9.92, P of over effect< 0.00001). The meta-analysis suggested that there was no significant difference in white blood cell count (WBC) at postoperative day 7 and mental health after operation between the exercise group and the control group. Limited publication bias was observed in this study.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative exercise including inhaled muscle training, aerobics, resistance training and stretching could promote recovery after cardiac surgery.