Cardiac rehabilitation in patients with peripheral arterial disease after revascularization.

Objectives: To evaluate safety, feasibility, and benefit of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) who undergo revascularization.

Methods: We conducted a prospective, non-randomized, pilot study to assess the feasibility, safety, and benefit of CR in PAD patients after revascularization compared to standard of care (controls). CR feasibility was assessed by the ability to complete 36 sessions.

Validity of a Submaximal 6-min Recumbent Stepper Test for Cardiac Rehabilitation.

Purpose: Submaximal exercise tests, such as the 6-min walk test (6MWT), are used to assess and determine changes in cardiorespiratory fitness in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation (CR) programs. However, other modalities such as recumbent steppers are frequently utilized in rehabilitation settings and suit individuals of all ability levels; yet, no self-paced submaximal test has been developed for this exercise modality. The aim of this study was to produce a self-paced, submaximal 6-min recumbent stepper test (6MRST) that is comparable with the 6MWT and can be used as pre- and post-CR assessments.