[The regulation of the circulatory system in the early postoperative period after open-heart surgery during physical therapy and orthostatic exercise (author's transl)].

17 patients, who underwent open heart procedures, were examined during and after standardized exercises at the first, second and third postoperative day. At 10 defined time intervals the following parameters were measured: arterial blood pressure, right and left atrial pressure and in the pulmonary artery, arterial and venous blood gases and cardiac output by thermodilution. Oxygen consumption and cardiac index were calculated. The results show that the majority of patients after open heart surgery are well able to adjust to additional work load even early postoperatively.