The 6-minute walking test and all-cause mortality in patients undergoing a post-cardiac surgery rehabilitation program.

Background: The 6-minute walking test (6mWT) is used to prescribe physical activity in cardiac surgery patients. The clinical value of a pre-discharge 6mWT and its association with outcome is not well defined.

Design And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from 313 patients (age 66 ± 11 years, 23% females, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 52 ± 11%, Hb 10.

Postoperative anemia and exercise tolerance after cardiac operations in patients without transfusion: what hemoglobin level is acceptable?

Background: Restrictive transfusion strategies have been suggested for cardiac surgical patients, leading to various degrees of postoperative anemia. This study investigates the exercise tolerance during rehabilitation of cardiac surgical patients who did not receive transfusions, with respect to their level of postoperative anemia.

Methods: This observational study started in January 2010 and ended in May 2010 in 2 rehabilitation hospitals and 2 large-volume cardiac surgical hospitals.

Return to work after thoracic organ transplantation in a clinically-stable population.

Purpose: To evaluate the rate of return to work after transplantation and its determinants in a clinically-stable population of patients transplanted and followed-up at a single institution in Italy.

Methods: 151 thoracic organ transplant recipients (72 lung, 79 heart) were examined. Patients were asked about daily activities, level of education, employment and clinical condition.

Outcome of pregnancy after organ transplantation: a retrospective survey in Italy.

The number of women who decide to have a child after organ transplantation has increased. We determined the outcomes of 67 pregnancies of women who had undergone kidney, liver or heart transplantation. All recipients had been maintained on immunosuppressive therapy before and during pregnancy.

Ten years of "extended" life: quality of life among heart transplantation survivors.

Background: Long-term quality of life (QOL) outcome in heart transplant recipients still remains uncertain. This study evaluates the health status and QOL of survivors with associated predictors 10 years after heart transplantation.

Patients And Methods: A total of 276 patients who underwent heart transplantation in the Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Pavia, between 1985 and 1992 were included in a cross-sectional study.

Clodronate treatment of established bone loss in cardiac recipients: a randomized study.

Background: Bone loss has been reported as a complication after heart transplantation (HTx), and the increase in bone fractures is an effective problem. Treatment of osteoporosis has obtained mixed results. In this study we evaluate the effect of treatment with an oral bisphosphonate.