Exercise and (P)rehabilitation for Heart or Lung Transplant Candidates and Recipients: Current Practice and Future Directions (bundle)

Presented by Bryan J. Taylor, PhD, FACSM; Tathagat Narula, MBBS, MD, FACP; Wendy K. Cawley, BSN, RN, CCRP; Brandyn M. Rader, MS, CEP
Disclosures: None

1.25 CEUs: AACVPR, AMA, CDR, ANCC, AARC, ACSM

Description: This session, recorded at the 2024 Annual Meeting, will discuss how heart or lung transplantation can be an effective treatment for selected patients with advanced cardiac or pulmonary diseases. However, complications during the pre- or early post-transplant period with prolonged ICU and hospital stays cause inactivity and sedentary behavior that, compounded by immunosuppressant therapy, can deleteriously affect physical capacity and health-related quality-of-life, and prolong recovery and worsen outcomes. In this session, the presenters will discuss the evolving evidence that exercise-based cardiac or pulmonary (p)rehabilitation should be considered essential in optimizing functional capacity, enhancing health-related quality-of-life, decreasing post-operative complications and improving outcomes in heart or lung transplant candidates and recipients. Based on their clinical practice and giving case examples where appropriate, they will also detail the importance of a team-based approach in optimizing the (p)rehabilitation of such patients and consider the increasing challenge posed by patients who experience a complicated pre- and/or post-transplant course and explore the potential utility of alternative approaches to exercise training and rehabilitation delivery in these patients. 

Learning Objectives:
1. Summarize the evidence that exercise-based cardiac or pulmonary (p)rehabilitation can optimize functional capacity, enhance health-related quality-of-life and improve outcomes in heart or lung transplant candidates and recipients.
2. Describe the key roles and responsibilities of the multidisciplinary team needed to provide comprehensive and effective (p)rehabilitation for heart or lung transplant candidates and recipients.
3. Identify the importance and benefits of integrating specialists such as physical therapists into clinical practice to promote early mobilization and rehabilitation after a heart or lung transplant.
4. Recognize the practical considerations for optimizing (p)rehabilitation in heart or lung transplant candidates or recipients.