Background: Pulmonary rehabilitation is considered as a comprehensive intervention that advanced as a therapeutic option in patients of chronic respiratory disorders. Evidence based medicine has determined that pulmonary rehabilitation can reduce dyspnea, increase exercise tolerance and improve health related quality of life.
Aim of the study: To assess PAH patients undergone pulmonary rehabilitation program while receiving medications compared with patients only received medical treatment.
Patients and Methods: Thirty patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (NYHA Class II-III) according to clinical, radiological and their pulmonary artery catheter data were randomized equally into two groups with willing and ability to participate in 3 weekly rehabilitation sessions for 12 weeks while receiving stable dose of current PAH-specific medication for 3 months prior to enrollment.
Results: There was a statistically significant improvement after 12-weeks rehabilitation program as regard 6MWD, SO2%, heart rate, dyspnea score and psychological condition.
Conclusions: Pulmonary rehabilitation program in PAH patients with functional class II-III as add-on to medical therapy is safe and improve exercise capacity and quality of life.