 Eligible patients were randomized to a cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program Rehab; n 10 or to usual care Control; n 10. The randomization was done by the Graphpad StatMate computerized program. Those patients assigned to Control were followed by their own physicians, received routine nursing assistance, were visited daily by the one of the investigators CPM, but were not exposed to any specific respiratory or motor physical intervention. Those randomized to Rehab received the same medical and nursing care, but followed a structured physical therapy program twice a day. 