Application of cardiac rehabilitation model based on integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine after PCI for coronary heart disease

Objective To preliminarily explore the effectiveness of community cardiac rehabilitation based on integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine under the guidance of third-grade hospitals for patients who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods A total of 95 patients initially treated with PCI for CHD were enrolled. They were randomly divided into two groups: a conventional treatment group (a control group, n=46) and a cardiac rehabilitation group (a rehabilitation group, n=49). The control group received conventional treatment for secondary prevention of CHD, while the rehabilitation group received community cardiac rehabilitation based on integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine under the guidance of third-grade hospitals. Both groups were followed up for six months. Then, their six-minute walk distance (6MWD), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), patient health questionaire-9 (PHQ-9) score, generalized anxiety disorder-7 (GAD-7) score, the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), as well as the rate of readmission due to chest discomfort and anxiety were recorded at baseline and six months after intervention. Results Six months after intervention, the rehabilitation group presented remarkable decrease in 6MWD and NT-proBNP levels, compared with the control group (P<0.05). Six months after intervention, the rehabilitation group presented remarkable decreases in PHQ-9 score compared with the baseline levels (P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in PHQ-9 score in the control group before and after intervention (P>0.05). Six months after intervention, the incidences of total MACEs, myocardial infarction, and repeat revascularization increased in the control group compared with the rehabilitation group, without statistical difference (all P>0.05). The readmission rate was remarkably lower in the rehabilitation group than that in the control group (P<0.05). No accidental exercise injuries or exercise-related cardiovascular events were reported throughout the rehabilitation process. Conclusions For patients undergoing PCI for CHD, community cardiac rehabilitation based on integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine under the guidance of third-grade hospitals is safe, effective and feasible, which is worthy of further observational studies.