Utilization of Virtual Clinics to Enhance Cardiac Rehabilitation Follow-Up for Post-Open-Heart Surgery Patients: Retrospective Study

Background: Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) is a vital component of recovery following open-heart surgery, significantly improving functional outcomes, reducing hospital readmissions, and enhancing quality of life. However, adherence to in-person CR programs remains suboptimal due to barriers such as limited access, transportation challenges, scheduling conflicts and geographic barriers. The recent advancement in telemedicine offers a potential solution through virtual clinics to bridge gaps in care [1]. Objective: This paper explored the utilization of virtual clinics to enhance follow-up care in cardiac rehabilitation for post-openheart surgery patients, focusing on patient’s outcomes, adherence, satisfaction and percentage of virtual clinic utilization from 0% to 50 %. Methods: This retrospective study included 50 patients who underwent open-heart surgery at a tertiary care hospital MarchJune 2025. Patients received an 8-weeks virtual CR program involving weekly video sessions, educational materials, and remote monitoring. Outcomes included functional capacity (6-minute walk test), quality of life (SF-36), program adherence, and virtual clinic utilization from 0-50%. Results: Study indicated that virtual cardiac rehabilitation is associated with improved program adherence, high patient satisfaction, and increasing the percentage of virtual clinic utilization from 0% to 50 %. Furthermore, virtual models reduced geographic and mobility barriers, particularly in undeserved population. The average 6-minute walk distance post-intervention was 420 meters (SD = 85; p < 0.001), and quality of life significantly improved across physical functioning, vitality, mental health, and general health domains (p < 0.01). Program adherence was high, with 50% of CR follow-conducted virtually. Patient satisfaction was positive and no significant increase in readmission or emergency visits was observed. Conclusion: Our results showed that the utilization of virtual clinics is increased from 0% to 50% Furthermore, virtual clinics provide a viable and effective complement-or alternative-to In-person cardiac rehabilitation follow-up. Integration into postoperative care pathways could significantly enhance recovery experience, improve quality of life, and long-term cardiac health for post- open-heart surgery patients. The findings of our study may help direct policymaking for expanding the use of virtual clinics, especially in countries struggling with the development and promotion of telemedicine virtual clinic services.