CARDIAC REHABILITATION-BRUCE PROTOCOL

SUMMARY

1. Metabolic demands of > 2 METs per stage may be appropriate for low to intermediate risk patients with functional capacity > 7 METs.

2. The widely used Bruce Protocol of 2 to 3 METs per stage is useful with stable patients with functional capacities of 10 METs.

3. Pharmacologic stress testing in debilitated patients for whom exercise testing cannot be performed can be used to evaluate ischemia.

4. The data from pharmacologic testing cannot be used in exercise presumption (Froehlicher, 1987).

Reference(s)

Cifu, D.X. (2020). Braddom’s physical medicine and rehabilitation. Elsevier. Get it on Amazon.
Cuccurullo, S. (2019). Physical medicine and rehabilitation board review. New York: Demosmedical. Get it on Amazon.
O’Young, B., Young, M.A. and Stiens, S.A. (2008). Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Secrets. Mosby. Get it on Amazon.