[Early Pulmonary Rehabilitation after Long Term Mechanical Ventilation].

Background:  The term early rehabilitation is defined as a rehabilitation that begins in the early phase after acute illness and is statutory positioned in § 39SGB V. Aim of this investigation is to describe the quality of outcome of pulmonary early rehabilitation.

Method:  Prospective census of functional parameters, status of ventilation and discharge-disposition in a specialized unit for early pulmonary rehabilitation over a period of one year.

Results:  Out of 190 patients 179 (94.2 %) were previously invasively ventilated. During the treatment period of 39 ± 17 days, FAM-Index increased from 84.4 ± 19.8 to 118.5 ± 23.3 (Ci 30.9 - 37.3, Cohen'd 1.58; p < 0.001), Barthel-Index from 30.5 ± 13.8 to 58.3 ± 16.2 (Ci 25.4 - 33.8, Cohen's d 1.4; p < 0.001) six minute walking distance from 12.9 ± 40.1 m to 131.4 ± 85.2 m (Ci 105.6 - 131.4 m, Cohn's d 1.78; p < 0.001). Patients were less likely to be receive further post-discharge rehabilitation if they were ventilated.

Conclusion:  Patients admitted to the early pulmonary rehabilitation unit were severely compromised, however quality of outcome was favourable and independent of the breathing status (spontaneously breathing vs. non-invasive ventilation or invasive ventilation). Finding discharge dispositions appeared to be more difficult if patients were ventilated.