Walking Exercise Improves 6MWT Capacity After PCI in Single-Vessel CAD: A Case Report

Abstrak

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) commonly reduces aerobic capacity and exercise tolerance after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Structured walking exercise during phase II cardiac rehabilitation may improve functional capacity in post-PCI patients; however, evidence in single-vessel CAD remains limited.
Objective: To describe the effects of moderate-intensity walking exercise on aerobic capacity in a patient with single-vessel CAD after PCI.
Methods: This CARE-based case report involved a 59-year-old male with single-vessel CAD following PCI with one stent in the osteal–mid left anterior descending artery. The patient underwent phase II cardiac rehabilitation consisting of moderate-intensity walking exercise at 40–60% heart rate reserve and Borg scale 11–13 for six supervised sessions over two weeks, combined with a home-based walking program. Outcomes included the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), metabolic equivalents (METs), blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, and exercise tolerance.
Results: After six rehabilitation sessions, the 6MWT distance increased from 304 m to 415 m, representing a 36.5% improvement and exceeding the reported minimal clinically important difference for cardiac populations. METs increased from 3.74 to 4.54 (21.4%). Blood pressure improved from 132/81 mmHg to 114/73 mmHg, while resting heart rate decreased from 66 to 62 bpm with stable oxygen saturation at 98%. No adverse cardiovascular events or exercise intolerance were observed.
Conclusion: This case suggests that structured moderate-intensity walking exercise may improve aerobic capacity and hemodynamic response in patients with single-vessel CAD after PCI. Further controlled studies are required.