ABSTRACT
Since the beginning of the modern era of surgery for children with congenital heart disease, many patients have had operative procedures which while greatly improving their overall status, have left them with residual impairments in global function. This group of children in many ways parallels those adults who have had surgery for coronary artery disease. These adults have been found to have improved physical performance and increased longevity if they participate in a programme of cardiac rehabilitation. The extension of this type of rehabilitative therapy to children who have had cardiac surgery that has left them with impaired exercise tolerance has been a logical and beneficial progression. This paper reviews the interdisciplinary approach to this type of child followed in our centre as well as results from other centres and raises several points for future investigation.
