Walking Exercise in Phase II Cardiac Rehabilitation After PCI: A Case Report

Abstract

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality. Despite successful revascularization with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), many patients experience reduced functional capacity, underscoring the importance of structured cardiac rehabilitation.
Objective: To describe the implementation of walking exercise in phase II cardiac rehabilitation and its effects on functional capacity in a patient following PCI.
Methods: This case report involved a 61-year-old woman diagnosed with CAD two-vessel disease after PCI. The patient participated in a phase II cardiac rehabilitation program consisting of supervised walking exercise performed 3–5 times per week for 30–60 minutes at moderate intensity (40–60% heart rate reserve or rating of perceived exertion 11–13), combined with a home-based program. Outcome measures included vital signs, the 6-Minute Walking Test (6MWT), estimated maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max), and metabolic equivalents (METs).
Results: After six supervised rehabilitation sessions, the 6MWT distance increased from 396 m to 510 m. Estimated VO₂max improved from 22.4 to 27.3 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹, and METs increased from 6.4 to 7.8. No adverse events or cardiovascular complications were observed during the intervention period.
Conclusion: Walking exercise as part of phase II cardiac rehabilitation was safe and associated with clinically meaningful improvements in aerobic capacity and functional tolerance in a patient after PCI.