Advanced Cardiac Rehabilitation Course - ICU to OPD & Beyond

This advanced practitioner-level certification is designed to equip healthcare professionals especially physiotherapists with in-depth expertise across the entire cardiac rehabilitation continuum, from critical care (ICU) to long-term outpatient and community-based rehabilitation.

Through intensive theoretical instruction and practical demonstrations, participants will master internationally endorsed rehabilitation protocols using the FITT-VP framework, and apply them confidently across varied cardiac conditions and surgical scenarios. Special emphasis is placed on exercise testing, ECG and echocardiography interpretation, treadmill protocols, and rehabilitation in complex cardiovascular presentations including heart failure, post-CABG, arrhythmias, and device-implanted patients.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the role and structure of cardiac rehabilitation phases (Phase 0 to Phase 4).

• Gain proficiency in assessing cardiovascular functional capacity using 6MWT, CPET, METs, and VO2 max protocols.

• Interpret ECG and 2D ECHO reports for risk classification and clinical decision-making.

• Apply safe and effective exercise prescription protocols using HRmax, HRR, RPE scales, and real-time monitoring.

• Manage rehabilitation protocols for special cardiac populations, including post-surgical cases and patients with comorbidities.

• Design and implement comprehensive rehabilitation pathways ensuring smooth transitions from ICU to OPD and beyond.

Course Content Includes

• Phases of Cardiac Rehab:

  • Phase 0 (Preventive / Prehabilitation): Risk factor modification, patient education, early functional assessment.

  • Phase 1 (ICU & Inpatient): Early mobilization, respiratory muscle training, bronchial hygiene, day-wise guided mobilization protocols.

  • Phase 2 & 3 (Outpatient and Maintenance): Progressive aerobic and resistance training, FITT-VP-based plans, and psychological support.

  • Phase 4 (Community Maintenance): Self-management strategies, quality of life improvement, long-term adherence.

• Cardiac Diagnostics & Monitoring:

  • Pre-participation screening: Risk classification (Low, Moderate, High)

  • ECG and 2D Echo interpretation

  • METS estimation and clinical application

  • Treadmill stress testing using Bruce and Modified Bruce Protocols

• Exercise Prescription Principles:

  • FITT-VP for Aerobic, Resistance, Flexibility & Balance Training

  • HRR, VO2 peak, RPE scale applications

  • Cardiac-safe progression plans and monitoring guidelines

• Special Populations & Clinical Conditions:

  • Management of post-MI, CABG, Valve Repairs, Heart Failure, Arrhythmias, Congenital Heart Diseases, and T2DM

  • Evidence-based outcome targets, MET-hour planning, and long-term clinical monitoring

Certification

• 16 Contact Hours Certificate

• Structured according to global guidelines by AHA, ESC, AACVPR & ACSM

Why You Should Attend

This course provides physiotherapists with advanced-level clinical acumen to not only practice but lead in the domain of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation. With international-level skills in assessment, prescription, and program design, you’ll be equipped to create ICU-to-OPD rehab pathways that measurably improve patient outcomes, reduce rehospitalization, and enhance quality of life.