Author/Authors :
Golabchi، Allahyar نويسنده Cardiologist, Cardiac Rehabilitation Research Center, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University Of Medical Sciences, Isfahan , , Basati، Fatemeh نويسنده MSc, School of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran , , Kargarfard، Mehdi نويسنده PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Sport Physiology, School of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan , , Sadeghi، Masoumeh نويسنده ,
Abstract :
BACKGROUND: Current guidelines recommend cardiac rehabilitation programs (CRP) as a
means to improve functional status of patients after coronary revascularization. However,
research supporting this recommendation has been limited and positive effects of CRP on
diastolic function are controversial. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of an
8-week CRP on left ventricular diastolic function.
METHODS: This randomized, clinical trial included 29 men with ST elevation myocardial
infarction (MI) who had received reperfusion therapy, i.e. coronary artery bypass grafting
(CABG) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). They were randomized to a training group
(n = 15; mean age: 54.2 ± 9.04 years old) and a control group (n = 14; mean age: 51.71 ± 6.98
years old). Patients in the training group performed an 8-week CRP with an intensity of 60-85%
of maximum heart rate. Exercise sessions lasted 60-90 minutes and were held three times a
week. At the start and end of the study, all patients performed symptom-limited exercise test
based on Naughton treadmill protocol. Pulsed-wave Doppler echocardiography was also used to
determine peak velocity of early (E) and late (A) waves, E/A ratios, and the deceleration time of
E (DT).
RESULTS: Left ventricular diastolic indices (E, A, E/A ratio, DT) did not change significantly
after the CRP. Compared to baseline, patients in the training group had significant
improvements in functional capacity (8.30 ± 1.30 vs. 9.7 ± 1.7) and maximum heart rate
(118.50 ± 24.48 vs. 126.85 ± 22.75). Moreover, resting heart rate of the training group was
significantly better than the control group at the end of the study (75.36 ± 7.94 vs. 79.80 ± 7.67;
P < 0.001).
CONCLUSION: An 8-week CRP in post-MI patients revascularized with PCI or CABG led to
improved exercise capacity. However, the CRP failed to enhance diastolic function.
