Author:
Simonenko Maria,Hansen Dominique,Niebauer Josef,Volterrani Maurizio,Adamopoulos Stamatis,Amarelli Cristiano,Ambrosetti Marco,Anker Stefan D.,Bayes-Genis Antonio,Ben Gal Tuvia,Bowen T. Scott,Cacciatore Francesco,Caminiti Giuseppe,Cavarretta Elena,Chioncel Ovidiu,Coats Andrew J. S.,Cohen-Solal Alain,D’Ascenzi Flavio,de Pablo Zarzosa Carmen,Gevaert Andreas B.,Gustafsson Finn,Kemps Hareld,Hill Loreena,Jaarsma Tiny,Jankowska Ewa,Joyce Emer,Krankel Nicolle,Lainscak Mitja,Lund Lars H.,Moura Brenda,Nytrøen Kari,Osto Elena,Piepoli Massimo,Potena Luciano,Rakisheva Amina,Rosano Giuseppe,Savarese Gianluigi,Seferovic Petar M.,Thompson David R.,Thum Thomas,Van Craenenbroeck Emeline M.
Abstract
Little is known either about either physical activity patterns, or other lifestyle-related prevention measures in heart transplantation (HTx) recipients. The history of HTx started more than 50 years ago but there are still no guidelines or position papers highlighting the features of prevention and rehabilitation after HTx. The aims of this scientific statement are (i) to explain the importance of prevention and rehabilitation after HTx, and (ii) to promote the factors (modifiable/non-modifiable) that should be addressed after HTx to improve patients’ physical capacity, quality of life and survival. All HTx team members have their role to play in the care of these patients and multidisciplinary prevention and rehabilitation programmes designed for transplant recipients. HTx recipients are clearly not healthy disease-free subjects yet they also significantly differ from heart failure patients or those who are supported with mechanical circulatory support. Therefore, prevention and rehabilitation after HTx both need to be specifically tailored to this patient population and be multidisciplinary in nature. Prevention and rehabilitation programmes should be initiated early after HTx and continued during the entire post-transplant journey. This clinical consensus statement focuses on the importance and the characteristics of prevention and rehabilitation designed for HTx recipients.