International Journal of Cardiovascular Sciences. 03/jun/2024;37:e20240023.

Feasibility of the Two-Minute Walk Test in Elderly Patients After Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Cross-Sectional Study

André Luiz Lisboa Cordeiro , Luiz Anselmo Santos , Lucas Oliveira , Ana Cristina Almeida , Damaris Alves , Hanna Beatriz de Melo Moraes e Silva , Fernanda Francisco Souza , André Raimundo França Guimarães

DOI: 10.36660/ijcs.20240023

Este Artigo Original é referido pelo Editorial "Two-Minute Walk Test After an Acute Myocardial Infarction: Feasible and Useful?".

Abstract

Background

Pathologies involving the heart are still the main causes of death, and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is consistently present in this index. The two-minute walk test (2MWT) is ideal for assessing the functional capacity of this patient.

Objective

To describe the feasibility of the 2MWT in older people after AMI.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study. At hospital discharge, patients were invited to perform the 2MWT. Before starting the test, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂), heart rate (HR) and the Double Product (DP) were checked. After checking the vital signs, the patients were accompanied by an examiner, who was positioned laterally to ensure safety and verbally encouraged during the test; after the completion of the test, all vital signs were reassessed in two moments, at the immediate end and after 20 minutes of rest. ANOVA was used for the comparison of pre and post-test and pre and recovery. A p<0.05 was considered significant.

Results

We evaluated 51 patients, 4 (80%) males with a mean age of 67±8 years. The distance walked on the 2MWT had a mean of 157 ± 22 meters. The SBPmmHg Pre-Test 112±21 vs 131±15 Post-Test (p=0.24) and 119±22 at Recovery (p = 0.34) and HR (bpm) Pre-Test 75±15 vs 89±19 Post-Test (p=0.15) and 79±15 at Recovery (p = 0.59). After a rest, all variables analyzed followed the same pattern, returning to values close to the pre-test moment.

Conclusion

The performance of the 2MWT in the hospital environment presents good feasibility in the evaluation of submaximal capacity in elderly patients after AMI.