Most Heart Valve Replacement Patients Skip Rehab: A Serious Case of Post-Op Negligence

Many Heart Valve Replacement Patients Neglect Follow-Up Rehabilitation

Many who get heart valve replacement don’t get rehab.

By Cara Murez, HealthDay Reporter

Are you familiar with the concept of “out of sight, out of mind”? Well, it seems that’s the motto for a majority of patients undergoing a minimally invasive heart valve replacement procedure. According to a recent study, an astonishing 69% of these individuals are skipping their recommended cardiac rehab after surgery. Yes, you heard that right, over two-thirds of patients are neglecting their recovery. It’s time to sound the alarm!

The study, which focused on patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), discovered that only about 31% of them received the necessary rehab within the first 90 days. So, what’s to blame for this alarming statistic? The researchers propose two plausible factors.

First, these TAVR patients may be more delicate, possibly dubbing them the “frail and forgetful” group. They might have other underlying medical conditions, making them less likely to follow through with their rehab. Secondly, and perhaps more shockingly, it’s possible that hospitals are unintentionally leaving their patients uninformed. Yes, you heard that right. It seems that these institutions are not educating their patients on the importance of rehabilitation. Dear hospitals, let’s do better, shall we?

Dr. Devraj Sukul, the first author of the study and an interventional cardiologist at the University of Michigan Health’s Frankel Cardiovascular Center, sounded the alarm bells by stating, “Cardiac rehabilitation has been shown to improve the quality of life for so many patients after cardiovascular procedures.” He continued, “We found that the differences in participation between hospitals may be related to differences in the process each hospital takes after a patient undergoes TAVR. It is critical that we identify best practices to promote cardiac rehab participation to improve post-operative outcomes.”

• Study Shows: Autism Diagnosis Not Always Permanent!
• “Resistant Woman Inspires Breakthrough in Alzheimer’s Research”
• Croup The Barking Cough, Unmasked! Symptoms, Treatment, and What to...

To dive deeper into this issue, the researchers analyzed data from over 3,300 patients who underwent TAVR surgery at 24 hospitals in Michigan between 2016 and mid-2020. And lo and behold, they made another shocking discovery! Patients who were older, more fragile, smokers, or had a history of heart rhythm issues, such as atrial fibrillation, were less likely to engage in cardiac rehab. It seems like these factors are stacking the odds against a successful recovery.

Participation in cardiac rehab varied widely across the 24 hospitals, ranging from a dismal 5% to a slightly encouraging 60%. However, even with patient differences accounted for, the variation persisted. These discrepancies are simply unacceptable. It’s time to level the playing field and ensure that every patient, regardless of age, fragility, and smoking habits, gets the opportunity to set themselves up for a healthy future.

Here’s the cherry on top of this disappointing cake: the participation rate in cardiac rehab following TAVR was significantly lower than that of patients who underwent open-heart surgeries. It seems like those undergoing the less invasive procedure are slipping through the cracks of the medical system. It’s time to give them the attention they deserve.

So, what can we take away from all this alarming information? For starters, hospitals need to step up their game and provide consistent education on rehab to each and every patient. It’s time to prioritize post-operative care and ensure that no patient is left behind. Remember, cardiac rehab has proven to improve the quality of life for countless patients. It’s a no-brainer!

And to all the patients out there: don’t let your recovery float away like a lost balloon. Advocate for yourself and demand the cardiac rehab you deserve. It’s your heart, your health, and your future at stake. Let’s raise the bar together!

More information

The U.S. National Institutes of Health has more on transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

SOURCE: Michigan Medicine – University of Michigan, news release, Oct. 9, 2023

Heart Illustration Browse through our medical image collection to see illustrations of human anatomy and physiology See Images

Interact with me:

What are your thoughts on the negligence surrounding cardiac rehab after heart valve replacement surgery? Have you or someone you know faced similar challenges? Share your experiences and let’s start a conversation!