One-year follow-up of heart transplant recipient with cardiac rehabilitation: A case report

INTRODUCTION: Heart transplantation (HT) is known to be the final therapy for patients with advanced heart failure; however, the exercise capacity of these patients remains under the aged-predicted value after HT. Many studies have described the effectiveness and safety of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in HT recipients. Nevertheless, long-term follow-up data of HT recipients undergoing CR are insufficient, and there is a lack of evidence on the long-term effects of CR. In this case report, we present the long-term benefits of CR in an HT recipient, including serial follow-up clinical data over 1 year. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 48-year-old female patient underwent HT because of advanced dilated cardiomyopathy. DIAGNOSIS: Cardiopulmonary exercise test showed reduced exercise capacity and pulmonary function. The grip power and quadriceps muscle strength were also decreased after HT. INTERVENTIONS: The patient underwent a phase I CR program for 3 months, followed by a phase III CR program for 7 months. In the beginning, moderate-intensity continuous training was conducted. Thereafter, high-intensity interval training was implemented after a period of adjustment for interval training. OUTCOMES: The exercise capacity, 6-min walk distance, muscle strength, and vital capacity were improved after CR. CONCLUSION: CR in HT recipients may improve muscle strength and pulmonary function as well as exercise capacity, without serious cardiovascular complications. Phase III CR may help maintain exercise capacity in these patients.