Impact of prehabilitation on cardiac surgery outcomes

an integrative review of systematic reviews

Abstract

Introduction: Prehabilitation, comprising physical exercise protocols and inspiratory muscle training, aims to optimize a patient’s functional reserve prior to cardiac surgery. This strategy seeks to mitigate pulmonary complications, reduce hospital stay, and accelerate functional and mental recovery. However, clinical application remains challenging due to the lack of standardized universal protocols. Objective: To verify the efficacy of prehabilitation programs on clinical outcomes in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Methodology: This is an integrative literature review, with a search conducted in the PubMed database between 2021 and 2026. The descriptors “prehabilitation” and “cardiac surgery” were used. The exclusive inclusion criterion was the selection of systematic reviews, aiming to synthesize the highest level of evidence available on the subject. Results: A total of 48 articles were identified, of which 13 systematic reviews were selected for analysis, encompassing a total sample of 16,752 patients. The findings demonstrate that prehabilitation promotes significant improvement in functional capacity, an expressive reduction in postoperative complications, and a decrease in hospital costs associated with shorter lengths of stay. Conclusion: Scientific evidence confirms the feasibility and efficacy of prehabilitation, whether in in-hospital or home-based settings. The method proves to be a determinant in improving peri- and postoperative outcomes, consolidating itself as an essential strategy in the cardiovascular care continuum.