Currently, the patient is recovering well.
Elderly Patient · A Complicated Medical Journey
For nearly a year, 87-year-old Mrs. Chen had been experiencing repeated chest tightness and palpitations. In October of this year, while staying in Hainan for the winter, she also developed mild swelling in both lower limbs. As an experienced healthcare professional, Mrs. Chens son immediately recognized that her heart might be the issue. After completing relevant tests, she was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation complicated by heart failure. She underwent atrial fibrillation radiofrequency ablation at another hospital. However, due to anemia and malnutrition, Mrs. Chen sought further treatment at the heart rehabilitation department of Hainan Chengmei Hospital.
Upon admission to the heart rehabilitation department, the team led by Professor Zheng Yin, a renowned heart rehabilitation expert and the deputy director of Hainan Chengmei Hospital, conducted a thorough examination and assessment. They found swelling, bruising, and pain at the femoral artery puncture site. After several bedside lower limb vascular ultrasounds, a false aneurysm rupture with bleeding was diagnosed. As the hematoma gradually enlarged, her anemia worsened, and her hemoglobin dropped to 4.6g. Additionally, due to significant swelling in her limbs, the patient was unable to move and could only stay in bed.
Professor Zheng Yin shared that symptoms such as pain, bedridden status, anemia, and low potassium levels could likely trigger acute heart failure and recurrence of atrial fibrillation in patients. Additionally, the patient had undergone cardiac radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation and required anticoagulant therapy. However, the situation of a false aneurysm rupture with bleeding contraindicated anticoagulation therapy, significantly increasing the risk of thrombosis. This created a dilemma for Mrs. Chen’s treatment, making the situation both critical and complex.
Multidisciplinary Treatment · Accelerating Recovery
Given the complexity of Mrs. Chens condition and the contradictions in her treatment plan, Professor Zheng Yin, along with the Deputy Director of the Heart Rehabilitation Department, Dr. Shu Yue, initiated a full-scale "MDT" (Multidisciplinary Team) consultation at the hospital. Experts from the departments of Interventional Therapy, Rehabilitation Medicine, Nutrition, and Ultrasound collaborated to develop a careful, step-by-step treatment plan.
During the treatment process, based on the principle of "emergency first, then gradual recovery; prioritizing the most critical issues," the interventional therapy experts first performed femoral artery puncture site hemostasis treatment under ultrasound guidance. Under close monitoring, the team administered heart failure and anti-arrhythmia medications, along with blood transfusions and nutritional support.
With a comprehensive approach to rehabilitation, the heart rehabilitation team considered how to "mobilize" the patient without exacerbating the bleeding. They created a personalized exercise prescription for Mrs. Chen based on her condition, including early cardiopulmonary function exercises and bedside resistance training.
Thanks to multidisciplinary comprehensive treatment, personalized rehabilitation training, and meticulous nursing care, within just over a week, Mrs. Chen’s heart function showed significant improvement. She regained the ability to live independently and gained confidence in overcoming her illness. Mrs. Chen expressed her gratitude to the heart rehabilitation team: "I thought recovery would be very slow at my age, but I was able to get out of bed and move around in just one week. I am so thankful to all of you."
Heart Rehabilitation · Regaining Vitality
Professor Zheng Yin introduced that Granny Chens quick recovery from heart surgery can be attributed to receiving professional heart rehabilitation treatment. Traditionally, it was believed that heart disease patients should primarily rest; however, modern sports medicine has long demonstrated that professional heart rehabilitation not only helps patients recover heart function and improve quality of life, but also provides psychological support, instilling confidence in overcoming illness. It allows patients to return to their previous lifestyle and work conditions as much as possible.
Heart rehabilitation is a comprehensive medical process that includes not only essential medical treatments but also exercise training, nutritional guidance, psychological support (including sleep management), smoking cessation, and social support. Through systematic rehabilitation training, patients heart function can gradually recover, and the blood and oxygen supply to the myocardium will be improved accordingly.
Who is Suitable for Heart Rehabilitation? Professor Zheng Yin explained that as long as patients are not in the acute phase of illness, most cardiovascular disease patients are suitable for different levels of heart rehabilitation treatment under the guidance of a specialized heart rehabilitation doctor. These include conditions such as chronic heart failure, post-coronary artery stenting, post-coronary artery bypass grafting, ischemic heart disease, peripheral artery disease, high-risk cardiovascular diseases not suitable for surgical intervention, end-stage renal disease, and those with limited cardiopulmonary function.
Moreover, even those without cardiovascular disease but with high-risk factors, such as obesity, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, anxiety and depression, and those in sub-health conditions, can benefit from heart rehabilitation treatment.
Recently, the Heart Rehabilitation Department at Hainan Chengmei Hospital has officially opened. The department is equipped with professional cardiopulmonary exercise evaluation instruments, six-minute walk tests, balloon-type external counterpulsation devices, body composition analyzers, power bikes, resistance training devices, and other advanced equipment. These tools allow for the monitoring of physiological parameters before, during, and after exercise, effectively assessing cardiopulmonary function. Healthcare professionals use the data from patients exercise sessions to identify issues in detail, providing personalized prevention and post-rehabilitation plans for cardiovascular disease patients.
Expert Introduction
Written by | Huang Fei
Photographed by | Liu Zhaoyang