Effectiveness of a Phase I Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Nursing Protocol on Functional Outcomes in Patients after Open Type A Aortic Dissection Surgery: A Case-Control Study
Abstract
Objective: To explore the effectiveness of a Phase I cardiopulmonary rehabilitation nursing protocol on functional outcomes in patients after open Type A aortic dissection (TAAD) surgery. Methods: A total of 64 patients who underwent open TAAD surgery in the hospital from January 2023 to December 2024 were selected and randomly divided into the control group and the study group using a random number table, with 32 patients in each group. The control group received routine cardiopulmonary rehabilitation intervention, while the study group received a Phase I cardiopulmonary rehabilitation nursing protocol guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior. The 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) score, time to first postoperative ambulation, incidence of hypoxemia, incidence of hypoxemia-related complications, and incidence of rehabilitation nursing-related adverse events were compared between the two groups. Results: After intervention, the study group had a longer 6MWD, lower Borg RPE score, earlier time to first postoperative ambulation, and lower incidence of hypoxemia than the control group (all P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of hypoxemia-related complications or rehabilitation nursing-related adverse events between the two groups (both P > 0.05). Conclusion: The Phase I cardiopulmonary rehabilitation nursing protocol guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior is scientific, feasible, and clinically relevant for TAAD patients. It can improve patients’ exercise capacity and reduce the incidence of hypoxemia.
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