Impact of sarcopenia on the progress of cardiac rehabilitation and discharge destination after cardiovascular surgery

[Purpose] To investigate the factors that affect the progress of cardiac rehabilitation, length of stay in the hospital, and discharge destination after cardiovascular surgery. [Participants and Methods] This was a prospective observational study. Sixty-seven patients scheduled to undergo open-heart surgery were included in the study. We evaluated physical and psychiatric functions pre- and post-surgery. Sarcopenia was defined as a short physical performance battery score of <9.5. [Results] Sarcopenia was a significant factor of delay of the day of the first rehabilitation, independence in 100-m walking, and exercise training at the rehabilitation gym. Comparisons between pre- and post-surgery were performed in the sarcopenia group. No significant decreases in physical and psychiatric functions were found. The discharge transfer rate was significantly different between the sarcopenia and non-sarcopenia groups. Sarcopenia and the decline in balance score significantly correlated with discharge transfer. [Conclusion] Cardiac rehabilitation can achieve recovery of physical and psychiatric functions even in patients with sarcopenia; however, the discharge transfer rate among the patients with sarcopenia was high. Improving balance ability may result in early home discharge.