STUDY AIM: The aim of the study was to assess the influence of walking training (WT) on the efficacy of early phase of cardiac rehabilitation in post CABG patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 51 patients (pts) (47M and 4 F) age 63 +/- 9 years, 8 +/- 2 days post CABG were included to the study and randomized into two groups: GA -- 28 pts -- qualified for cardiac rehabiliiation (CR) according to national standards plus WT (6 sessions for 6 minutes per day); GB -- 23 pts -- trained only according to standards. In all pts we assessed: (1) 6-minute walking test (6MWT) at the beginning (I-6MWT), at the end of CR (II-6MWT) and 3 months post surgery (III-6MWT); (2) 24-h Holter monitoring performed on the day before discharge (I-Holter) and after 3 months (II-Holter); (3) time of hospitalization; (4) cardiac events 3 months post surgery. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in 6MWT distance (m) in both groups (GA 316.75 versus 390.00 versus 435.21, p < 0.01; GB 295.00 versus 362.58 versus 413.25, p < 0.01) Heart rate (HR/bpm) -- before 6MWT, at the end of CR was significantly lower only in GA (77.51 versus 81.97; p < 0.01). Severity of symptoms according to the Borg scale was similar in both groups in all tests. There were also no significant differences in HR-min, HR-max, HR-average analyzed on Holter ECG in both groups either at the end of CR or after 3 months. Time of hospitalisation (days) was significantly shorter in GA comparing to GB (19.7 versus 24.8; p = 0.02). There were no differences in the incidence of cardiac events in both groups after 3 months (3.6% versus 4.3%; p = NS). CONCLUSIONS: (1) The walking training is a safe and effective part of early cardiac rehabilitation in post CABG patients. (2) The walking training as a additional element of rehabilitation allows to shorten the time of hospitalisation.

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