Early mobilisation to enhance recovery following cardiac valvular surgery in atrial fibrillation patients: a randomised controlled trial

This study aimed to assess the feasibility and safety of early mobilisation in promoting enhanced recovery among patients with concurrent atrial fibrillation undergoing cardiac valve surgery. A total of 190 patients who underwent cardiac valve surgery with concurrent atrial fibrillation at a tertiary-grade A hospital in Changsha City between January and December 2022 were randomly allocated to either an intervention (n = 95) or a control group (n = 95). The control group received standard perioperative care, while the intervention group followed a care programme that integrated conventional and Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols. The study compared recovery progress, incidence of complications, and various other metrics between the two groups. The intervention group demonstrated statistically. significant differences (p < 0.01) compared to the control group in terms of time to first mobilisation, duration of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, mechanical ventilation duration, pain scores, 6-minute walking distances, occurrence of arrhythmias, ICU re-admission, pulmonary infection rates, sternal incision infection rates, length of hospital stay, hospitalisation expenses, and adverse event rates. Summarily, patients in the intervention group exhibited more favourable outcomes across these metrics than those in the control group. Implementing an ERAS protocol-based early mobilisation strategy is a safe and viable approach for patients undergoing cardiac valve surgery with concurrent atrial fibrillation, facilitating their expedited recovery.