Forty-four patients were tested 2, 6 and 12 months after an isolated aortic valve implantation in order to evaluate the influence of training and vocational assistance on physical work capacity and the rate of reemployment. They were randomly allocated to a training group (A) or a control group (B). Training was carried out from the eighth to the twelfth week after operation and the socio-occupational status was evaluated. Training increased physical work capacity, expressed as cumulated work (CW), by 58% (p < 0.001), decreased the rate-pressure product (RPP) by 13% (p < 0.001) and the rate of perceived exertion (RPE) by 13% (p < 0.001) at the highest comparable work load. The CW was 38% higher in the training than the control group after 6 (p < 0.02) and 37% after 12 months (p < 0.025). After one year 81% in group A and 65% in group B were working (NS). Reemployment correlated significantly with the CW and inversely with the duration of sick leave prior to operation. Thus, physical training shortly after aortic valve operation rapidly and persistently improves physical work capacity while return to work is less influenced by training and socio vocational assistance.
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