Evaluation of Remote Phase-2 Cardiac Rehabilitation on Functional Capacity and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients Post Valvular Heart Surgeries at Tertiary Care Hospital: A Quasi-experimental study

Introduction: Valvular heart disease that leads to obstruction or backwards flow of blood. Heart valve surgery is a well-known procedure. Patients undergoing heart valve surgery who have postoperative complications commonly present with impairment of physical activity and physical capacity up to several years before surgery combined with a period of bed rest, which leads to muscle weakness after surgery and affects their functional capacity and quality of life. Cardiac rehabilitation is a comprehensive programme that emphasises secondary prevention and lifestyle changes. Centre-based rehabilitation is the gold standard, but due to travel problems, financial problems, and limited resources, it is difficult to attend the exercise programme. Nowadays, smartphones and wearable devices are used to monitor exercises at home.

Aims and objectives: The study aims to evaluate the effects of remote phase 2 cardiac rehabilitation over usual care on functional capacity and quality of life in valvular heart surgery patients older than 18 to 60 years old.

Methodology: patients undergoing post-valvular Heart surgery will be included and written consent will be obtained. Patients are divided into 2 groups: the software-driven cardiac rehabilitation group and the usual care group.at discharge demographic data, 6 MWT, and Quality of life will be assessed. software-driven intervention group, Cardiac rehabilitation through the Digital Health app. Telephonic consultation is given once a week, an individual exercise programme will be made, relaxation videos will be given, and for the usual care group exercise programme, patient education will be given. A routine follow-up will be done. re-evaluation of both groups at 6 and 12 weeks at the end of the study, reassessment of 6MWT, And the quality of life will improve. The adherence and satisfaction of the remote intervention group will be measured.  The collected data will be analysed.