Work resumption after invasive heart procedures, rehabilitation and ergonomic evaluation: from the hospital to the workplace

Our Institute adopts a multidisciplinary protocol named “CardioWork” for work resumption after invasive cardiac procedures and subsequent rehabilitation: after evaluation of the cardiac functional profile, the occupational physician analyzes the work activity prior to the cardiopathological event, identifies the presumed task energy requirement (from specific, published tables), and compares it with the exercise test results. Indications regarding the timing and modality of returning to work are formulated accordingly. To verify the reliability of the indications thus provided, we carried out a clinical-functional follow-up study in the workplace with Holter electrocardiography (ECG) and armband measurement of actual energy expenditure. Over the course of 2 years, we enrolled 36 patients (mostly males, aged between 30 and 70 years) who were hospitalized after coronary revascularization, valve replacement, or cardiac defibrillator implant. After rehabilitation, instrumental diagnostics (Holter ECG, echocardiography, exercise test) showed discrete functional conditions, with better values with regard to cardiac function than exercise capacity and effort tolerance. All subjects were judged fit for the job, in most cases with limitations concerning ergonomic factors, working timetable, and/or stress. They returned to work quickly, with good adherence to the indications provided. The workplace Holter ECG did not show appreciable differences compared to the hospital evaluation. In one case, the average energy expenditure measured while working was higher than that inferred from the tables; in the remaining subjects, the actual expenditure coincided with what was expected or was lower. In a minority of cases (39%), the measured average expenditure slightly exceeded the optimal value (35% of the maximal value at the exercise test) recommended at the time of hospital discharge. At the end of the workplace evaluation, it was not necessary to formulate new indications. The study provides further evidence of the effectiveness of the CardioWork protocol in promoting a return to work after invasive heart procedures. Although they need continuous updating, the published estimates of presumed task energy requirements remain reliable. In particularly complex cases, however, it is advisable to carry out a field check of the ergometric assessments performed at the end of rehabilitation.