ROLE OF MOFETTE THERAPY IN CARDIOVASCULAR REHABILITATION – THE COVASNA MODEL –

Abstract

The mofettes used for therapeutic purposes in Romania, in the Hospital of Rehabilitation in Cardiovascular Diseases Covasna, are unique in the world. Here, carbon dioxide in the form of carbogaseous baths and particularly, mofettes plays an important role not only in primary prevention, but also in secondary prevention and the rehabilitation of cardiovascular diseases. Aim. The aim of this study is to evidence the role of mofette therapy as part of residential rehabilitation programs carried out at the Hospital of Rehabilitation in Cardiovascular Diseases Covasna. Material and methods. The study included 92 patients admitted to the Hospital of Rehabilitation in Cardiovascular Diseases Covasna, Romania. All patients were evaluated for the presence of the main cardiovascular risk factors. The mean age was 66.31±9.00 years, with age limits between 42-85 years. All patients attended complex cardiovascular rehabilitation programs. Of these, 49 patients also underwent mofette therapy. Results. By analyzing the profile of patients undergoing mofette therapy, the following were found: 36.7% of the patients were overweight, 40.8% obese, 83.7% hypertensive, 69.4% dyslipidemic and 24.5% diabetic. There were differences between the group treated with mofette therapy and the group without mofette therapy regarding total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol values, which were significantly higher in the group undergoing mofette therapy. Significantly fewer patients with old myocardial infarction and atrial fibrillation, respectively, were subjected to mofette rehabilitation procedures: 4.1% vs. 16.3%, p=0.05 and 2% vs. 20.9%, p=0.004, respectively. 6.1% of the patients had peripheral arterial disease. In conclusion, mofette therapy combined with other classical procedures can play an important role in the rehabilitation of cardiovascular patients.

Keywords

• mofettes
• CARDIOVASCULAR REHABILITATION