Correlations between walking speed and Timed Up and Go (TUG) in patients with heart failure class II-III NYHA
Authors:   Department of Cardiology, Railway General Hospital, Ploiesti, Romania, TURCU Diana ,   Doctoral School, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania, ROMAN Anca-Ioana ,   “Dr. Gavril Curteanu” Clinical Hospital, Oradea, Romania, TEODORESCU Matei ,   “Elias” Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania, POPESCU Marius ,   “Elias” Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania, PLOEȘTEANU Rodica ,   ”Sf. Pantelimon” Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania, GHILENCEA Liviu ,   “Elias” Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania,   “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania, GICĂ Nicolae ,   “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania,   ”Filantropia” Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania, BĂTĂILĂ Vlad ,   “Floreasca” Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania, BERTEANU Mihai ,   “Elias” Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania,   “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
Published: December 2021

Physical rehabilitation programs for patients with heart failure (HF) are underdeveloped in our country. In order to establish the correct rehabilitation plan, the first step is to evaluate the patient’s functional capacity. G-Walk is a simple and effective test in assessing functional capacity. The aim of the study is to analyze the correlation between the results obtained in Timed Up and Go (TUG) and walking speed test and the prognosis of patients with heart failure. Material and methods. We prospectively analyzed a group of 44 patients with heart failure class II-III NYHA hospitalized in the Cardiology Department of Elias Hospital between June 17 and July 15, 2019.We evaluated the functional mobility of the patients with heart failure with the G-Walk device that contains a wireless sensor. The G-Walk device represents a gait analysis system, performing – according to a protocol – 2 tests: Walk (patient’s walking speed) and TUG (measures balance and mobility). Results. After analyzing the walking speed, the patients were divided into 2 groups: those with a speed <0.8 m/s and those with a speed> 0.8 m/s. Out of 44 patients, 21 patients had a walking speed < 0.8 m/s and 23 patients had a walking speed > 0.8 m/s. It was seen that patients with lower walking speed (V < 0.8 m/s) versus patients with better walking speed (V > 0.8 m/s) were older, had a lower body weight, a lower blood pressure value, a lower value of the oxygen saturation, a lower value of sodium and a higher blood glucose value. After analyzing the value of the TUG test, patients were divided into 2 groups: patients with a TUG test duration < 15 seconds and patients with a TUG test duration > 15 seconds. Thus, out of 44 patients studied, 19 patients had a TUG value < 15 seconds and 25 patients had a TUG value over 15 seconds. It was observed that patients with a higher TUG value (> 15 seconds) versus patients with normal TUG value (< 15 seconds) were older, had a higher creatinine value and a higher blood glucose value. Conclusions. It has been shown that a low value of walking speed and mobility is associated with increased morbidity and mortality of all causes in elderly patients with cardiovascular disease. The physical rehabilitation of patients with heart failure is very important for improving the quality of life.