AIM: To explore the effect of rehabilitation therapy on patients with heart valve replacement. METHODS: A total of 104 patients were randomly divided into rehabilitation group and control group. The patients in the control group received routine treatment, and rehabilitation group received rehabilitative therapy on the basis of routine treatment, including training of breathing, cough, motion of joint training, myodynamic training, and endurance training. postoperative incidence of pulmonary complication, duration of hospitalization and body activity energy level were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The postoperative incidence of pulmonary complication in rehabilitation group was 8% and 24% in control group (Chi2 = 4.60, p < 0.05); the duration of hospitalization in rehabilitation group was 17.8 +/- 4.5 d, and that in control group was 26.2 +/- 7.2 d, t = 2.12, p < 0.05. The body activity energy level before discharge in rehabilitation group was 4.98 +/- 0.41 METs, and that in control group was 4.21 +/- 0.53 METs, t = 2.25, p < 0.05; 3 months after discharge, that in rehabilitation group was 8.67 +/- 0.74 METs, control group was 6.86 +/- 0.63 METs, t = 2.81, p < 0.01. The differences were significant. CONCLUSION: Rehabilitation treatment is important in decreasing incidence of postoperative pulmonary complication, shortening duration of hospitalization and improving quality of life.

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