Évaluation de la Capacité Fonctionnelle par le Test de Marche de Six Minutes des Patients en Post-Chirurgie Cardiaque : Étude Transversale à l’Hôpital Général de Yaoundé: Evaluation of Functional Capacity by the Six-Minute Walk Test of Post-Heart Surgery Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study at the Yaoundé General Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: The six-minute walk test is used to assess the patient's adaptation to sub-maximal efforts, closer to daily life. The aim of this study was to assess the functional capacity of post-cardiac surgery patients using the six-minute walk test. Materials and methods: This was an observational, cross-sectional study, with prospective data collection, from February 05 to December 26, 2024. We exhaustively and consecutively included all post-cardiac surgery patients admitted to the cardiovascular rehabilitation unit of the Yaoundé General Hospital. Results: 19 patients were included. Mean age was 43.32 ± 15.37 years (extremes 22 to 74 years). The sex ratio was 0.35. Mean body mass index was 25.58 ± 5.86 kg/m2. 26.3% had complete arrhythmia due to atrial fibrillation. Mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 54.52 ± 15.61%.  52.6% of patients had undergone surgery for rheumatic valvular disease. The mean actual distance covered in six minutes by the 19 patients was 452.36 ± 118.51 m (extremes 190 to 640 m), corresponding to a mean performance of 74 ± 19.55% of the theoretical distance estimated by the equation of Enright PL et al. Conclusion: the 26% impairment of sub-maximal functional capacity in post-cardiac surgery, despite a preserved ejection fraction, justifies the systematic admission of these patients to a cardiovascular rehabilitation unit.