An overview of randomized trials of rehabilitation with exercise after myocardial infarction

Phosphorus-31 Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy: A Tool for Measuring In Vivo Mitochondrial Oxidative Phosphorylation Capacity in Human Skeletal Muscle

Skeletal muscle mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) capacity, which is critically important in health and disease, can be measured in vivo and noninvasively in humans via phosphorus-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy (³¹PMRS). However, the approach has not been widely adopted in translational and clinical research, with variations in methodology and limited guidance from the literature. Increased optimization, standardization, and dissemination of methods for in vivo ³¹PMRS would facilitate the development of targeted therapies to improve OXPHOS capacity and could ultimately favorably impact cardiovascular health. ³¹PMRS produces a noninvasive, in vivo measure of OXPHOS capacity in human skeletal muscle, as opposed to alternative measures obtained from explanted and potentially altered mitochondria via muscle biopsy. It relies upon only modest additional instrumentation beyond what is already in place on magnetic resonance scanners available for clinical and translational research at most institutions. In this work, we outline a method to measure in vivo skeletal muscle OXPHOS. The technique is demonstrated using a 1.5 Tesla whole-body MR scanner equipped with the suitable hardware and software for ³¹PMRS, and we explain a simple and robust protocol for in-magnet resistive exercise to rapidly fatigue the quadriceps muscle. Reproducibility and feasibility are demonstrated in volunteers as well as subjects over a wide range of functional capacities.

Exercise Benefits Coronary Heart Disease

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a group of diseases that include: no symptoms, angina, myocardial infarction, ischemia cardiomyopathy and sudden cardiac death. And it results from multiple risks factors consisting of invariable factors (e.g. age, gender, etc.) and variable factors (e.g. dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, etc.). Meanwhile, CHD could cause impact not only localized in the heart, but also on pulmonary function, whole-body skeletal muscle function, activity ability, psychological status, etc. Nowadays, CHD has been the leading cause of death in the world. However, many clinical researches showed that exercise training plays an important role in cardiac rehabilitation and can bring a lot of benefits for CHD patients.

Physical Exercise Is a Potential "Medicine" for Atherosclerosis

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been recognized as the number one killer for decades. The most well-known risk factor is atherosclerosis. Unlike the acuity of CVD, atherosclerosis is a chronic, progressive pathological change. This process involves inflammatory response, oxidative reaction, macrophage activity, and different interaction of inflammatory factors. Physical exercise has long been known as good for health in general. In recent studies, physical exercise has been demonstrated to be a therapeutic tool for atherosclerosis. However, its therapeutic effect has dosage-dependent effect. Un-proper over exercise might also cause damage to the heart. Here we summarize the mechanism of Physical exercise's beneficial effects and its potential clinical use.

Association Between Cardiac Rehabilitation Participation and Health Status Outcomes After Acute Myocardial Infarction

Importance

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) improves survival after acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and referral to CR has been introduced as a performance measure of high-quality care. The association of participation in CR with patients' health status (eg, quality of life, symptoms, and functional status) is poorly defined.

Objective

To examine the association of participation in CR with health status outcomes after AMI.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A retrospective cohort study was conducted of patients enrolled in 2 AMI registries: PREMIER, from January 1, 2003, to June 28, 2004, and TRIUMPH, from April 11, 2005, to December 31, 2008. The analytic cohort was restricted to 4929 patients with data available on baseline health status, 6- or 12- month follow-up health status, and participation in CR. Data analysis was performed from 2014 to 2015.

Exposures

Participation in at least 1 CR session within 6 months of hospital discharge.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Patient health status was quantified using the Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) and the 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12). The primary outcomes of interest were the mean differences in SAQ domain scores during the 12 months after AMI between patients who did and did not participate in CR. Secondary outcomes were the mean differences in the SF-12 summary scores and all-cause mortality.

Results

After successfully matching the cohorts of the 4929 patients (3328 men and 1601 women; mean [SD] age, 60.0 [12.2] years) for the propensity to participate in CR and comparing the groups using linear, mixed-effects models, mean differences in the SAQ and SF-12 domain scores were similar at 6 and 12 months between the 2012 patients participating in CR (3 were unable to be matched) and the 2894 who did not participate (20 were unable to be matched). At 6 months, the mean difference was -0.76 (95% CI, -2.05 to 0.52) for the SAQ quality of life score, -1.53 (95% CI, -2.57 to -0.49) for the SAQ angina frequency score, 0.38 (95% CI, -0.51 to 1.27) for the SAQ treatment satisfaction score, -0.42 (95% CI, -1.65 to 0.79) for the SAQ physical limitation score, 0.50 (95% CI, -0.22 to 1.22) for the SF-12 physical component score, and 0.13 (95% CI, -0.53 to 0.79) for the SF-12 mental component score. At 12 months, the mean difference was -0.89 (95% CI, -2.20 to 0.43) for the SAQ quality of life score, -1.05 (95% CI, -2.12 to 0.02) for the SAQ angina frequency score, 0.38 (95% CI, -0.54 to 1.29) for the SAQ treatment satisfaction score, -0.14 (95% CI, -1.41 to 1.14) for the SAQ physical limitation score, 0.17 (95% CI, -0.57 to 0.92) for the SF-12 physical component score, and 0.12 (95% CI, -0.56 to 0.80) for the SF-12 mental component score. In contrast, the hazard rate of all-cause mortality (up to 7 years) associated with participating in CR was 0.59 (95% CI, 0.46-0.75).

Conclusions and Relevance

In a cohort of 4929 patients with AMI, we found that those who did and did not participate in CR had similar reported health status during the year following AMI; however, participation in CR did confer a significant survival benefit. These findings underscore the need for increased use of validated patient-reported outcome measures to further examine if and how health status can be maximized for patients who participate in CR.

Contemporary Issues in Cardiac Rehabilitation: Implications for Occupational Therapists

Since the acceptance of the beneficial effects of early mobilisation for patients after myocardial infarction, cardiac rehabilitation has undergone dramatic change. Highly structured and inflexible exercise programmes have given way to flexible and comprehensive modern programmes, which embrace the use of education, counselling and risk factor modification principles. Contemporary skills required by occupational therapists include being able to adapt services to a vast array of cardiac conditions, foster risk factor modification, enhance compliance, tailor education to learning and coping styles, assess the patient's level of risk and need for rehabilitation, and provide accelerated and alternate programmes. This article discusses the principles, directions and benefits of modern cardiac rehabilitation and the implications for occupational therapists.

Whole-body strength training with Huber Motion Lab and traditional strength training in cardiac rehabilitation: A randomized controlled study

BACKGROUND

Isometric strengthening has been rarely studied in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), mainly because of possible potential side effects and lack of appropriate and reliable devices.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to compare 2 different modes of resistance training, an isometric mode with the Huber Motion Lab (HML) and traditional strength training (TST), in CHD patients undergoing a cardiac rehabilitation program.

DESIGN

We randomly assigned 50 patients to HML or TST. Patients underwent complete blinded evaluation before and after the rehabilitation program, including testing for cardiopulmonary exercise, maximal isometric voluntary contraction, endothelial function and body composition.

RESULTS

After 4 weeks of training (16 sessions), the groups did not differ in body composition, anthropometric characteristics, or endothelial function. With HML, peak power output (P=0.035), maximal heart rate (P<0.01) and gain of force measured in the chest press position (P<0.02) were greater after versus before training.

CONCLUSION

Both protocols appeared to be well tolerated, safe and feasible for these CHD patients. A training protocol involving 6s phases of isometric contractions with 10s of passive recovery on an HML device could be safely implemented in rehabilitation programs for patients with CHD and improve functional outcomes.

Cardiac rehabilitation programmes: predictors of non-attendance and drop-out

BACKGROUND

Despite evidence of its benefits, attendance at cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programmes is poor. Past studies to identify predictors of non-attendance have been limited by their small sample size, particularly for female patients. The present study was designed to identify socio-demographic and clinical predictors of non-attendance and drop-out separately for men and women automatically referred to CR programmes.

METHOD AND SUBJECTS

Prospective study of CR programme attendance amongst 808 patients consecutively admitted over an 11-month period to one of two hospitals in Melbourne, Australia, after acute myocardial infarction (AMI), or to undergo coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABGS) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

RESULTS

Of the 652 eligible patients, 573 (88%) were successfully tracked at 4 months. Of these, 284 (49.6%) had attended a CR programme, while 272 (47.5%) had not. Using logistic regression, the significant predictors of programme non-attendance among men were having had a PCI, being a non-driver, and being aged 70 or more. The only factor predictive of non-attendance for women was being aged 70 or more. Amongst attenders, 67 (23.6%) patients discontinued the programme. Being a smoker, having diabetes and being unemployed at the time of hospital admission were predictive of programme drop-out by men. Being physically inactive at admission was predictive of programme drop-out by women.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study demonstrated a relatively high rate of CR programme attendance. Special attention needs to be directed towards males who are older, PCI patients, smokers, unemployed or non-drivers, and females who are older or inactive.

Short-term patient-reported outcomes after different exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation programmes

BACKGROUND

An objective of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation is improvement in patient-reported outcomes such as health-related quality of life as well as anxiety and depressive symptoms. There are no direct comparisons of the effectiveness of inpatient and outpatient exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation programmes on patient-reported outcomes.

METHODS

In this non-randomized study we collected patient-reported outcomes data with the MacNew Heart Disease health-related quality of life questionnaire and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale at baseline, 1 month and again 3 months after admission to exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation in a cohort of 216 consecutive patients enrolled either in a 4-week inpatient exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (n=62) or a 3-month outpatient exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (n=87) and in a usual care group (n=67) to document the natural course in patient-reported outcome variables without exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation.

RESULTS

Although MacNew health-related quality of life scores improved more with inpatient than outpatient exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation by month 1, the improvement was still significant in both groups at month 3 and also in the usual care group when compared to baseline. The health-related quality of life scores in the inpatient group, however, decreased between month 1 and 3 whereas they continued to improve in the outpatient group. The significant reduction in both anxiety and depressive symptoms in both exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation groups by month 1 was maintained at month 3 only with outpatient exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation. No significant changes over the 3 months were observed in the usual care group.

CONCLUSION

Significant improvements of 1-month patient-reported outcomes are achieved in patients attending inpatient as well as outpatient exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation when compared with no exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation. In contrast to inpatient exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation, however, outpatient exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation leads to a further improvement of patient-reported outcomes. These results suggest that, if patients have to be admitted for inpatient exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation, this programme should be followed by an outpatient exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation to further improve and stabilize these patient-reported outcome variables.

Secondary prevention programmes for coronary heart disease: a meta-regression showing the merits of shorter, generalist, primary care-based interventions

Background

The aim of this study was to determine which programme characteristics influence the effectiveness of secondary prevention programmes for Coronary Heart Disease.

Design

The study follows a meta-regression design.

Methods

We conducted a meta-regression within a systematic review of randomized trials comparing secondary prevention programmes versus usual care. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Studies were identified by searching multiple electronic databases, bibliographies of published studies, contact with experts, and references provided by the United States Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Primary authors of all relevant trials were surveyed for detailed information on programme characteristics. Forty-six unique trials were identified (18 821 patients). The pooled all-cause mortality risk ratio (RR) for programmes was 0.87 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.79-0.97]. Programmes containing less than 10 h of patient contact with health professionals reduced all-cause mortality (RR 0.80, 95% CI 0.68-0.95) as effectively as programmes with more contact time. Programmes provided in general practice settings were effective at reducing all-cause mortality (RR 0.76, 95% CI 0.63-0.92) and compared favourably with the effectiveness of hospital-based programmes. Other characteristics, including specialist versus generalist provision, did not appreciably impact programme effectiveness.

Conclusions

Shorter secondary prevention programmes, those based in general practice, and those staffed by generalists are at least as effective in reducing all cause mortality in patients with coronary heart disease as longer programmes, hospital-based programmes, and programmes staffed by specialists.

Long-term effects of cardiac rehabilitation on end-exercise heart rate recovery after myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

Heart rate recovery (HRR) is a marker of vagal tone that is a powerful predictor of mortality in patients with coronary artery disease.

DESIGN

This study aims at evaluating the effects of long-term exercise training on HRR after acute myocardial infarction (AMI), in order to clarify whether prolonged exercise training could maintain a long-term improvement of HRR.

METHODS

Forty-four patients after AMI were enrolled in a 3-month hospital-based exercise training programme. At the end, patients were subdivided into two groups: group A (n=22), patients discharged with a specific home-based exercise training programme and instructions for improving leisure-time physical activity; group B (n=22), patients discharged with generic instructions to maintain physical activity. All patients underwent a cardiopulmonary exercise test before, at the end of 3 months exercise training and at 6 months follow-up.

RESULTS

At the end of the hospital-based exercise training programme we observed an increase in peak oxygen consumption [VO2peak; from 13.9+/-3.6 to 18+/-2.7 ml/kg per min (A) and from 14.1+/-3.9 to 17.9+/-2.1 ml/kg per min (B), P<0.001] and in HRR [from 17.1+/-1.8 to 23.4+/-1.4 beats/min (A), and from 18.8+/-2.1 to 24.3+/-1.9 beats/min (B), P<0.001]. At 6 months' follow-up we observed a further improvement in VO2peak (from 18.0+/-2.7 to 20.3+/-2.7 ml/kg per min, P<0.001) and in HRR (from 23.4+/-1.4 to 27.8+/-2.1 beats/min, P<0.001) in group A, but a significant decrease in VO2peak and in HRR in group B (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Long-term exercise training is useful for maintaining or improving the beneficial results of the standard 3-month exercise training programme on cardiovascular capacity and HRR. This observation may bear beneficial prognostic effects on patients after AMI.

The Effect of Cardiac Rehabilitation Exercise Training on Cardiopulmonary Function in Ischemic Cardiomyopathy With Reduced Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effect and safety of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) exercise in ischemic cardiomyopathy and to compare the results between patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and reduced LVEF.

METHODS

Patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy with LVEF <50% were included as subjects. The patients were classified into the preserved LVEF (pLVEF; LVEF 41%-49%) group and the reduced LVEF (rLVEF; LVEF ≤40%) group. Patients underwent hourly aerobic exercise training sessions with an intensity of 60%-85% of heart rate reserve, three times a week for 6 weeks. Graded exercise test and transthoracic echocardiogram were performed in all study patients before and after completion of the CR exercise program.

RESULTS

After completion of the CR exercise program, both groups (pLVEF, n=30; rLVEF, n=18) showed significant increases in LVEF and VO2max. In the pLVEF group, LVEF and VO2max increased from 45.1%±4.8% to 52.5%±9.6% (p<0.001) and from 24.1±6.3 to 28.1±8.8 mL/kg/min (p=0.002), respectively. In the rLVEF group, LVEF and VO2max increased from 29.7%±7.7% to 37.6%±10.3% (p<0.001) and from 17.6±4.7 to 21.2±5.1 mL/kg/min (p<0.001), respectively. Both groups completed their exercise program safely.

CONCLUSION

In both groups, patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy who completed a 6-week supervised CR exercise program demonstrated remarkable improvements in cardiopulmonary function. This result implies that neither of the two groups showed higher efficacy in comparison to each other, but we can conclude that CR exercise in the rLVEF group was as effective and safe as that in the pLVEF group.

Impact of traditional Greek dancing on jumping ability, muscular strength and lower limb endurance in cardiac rehabilitation programmes

AIMS

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a training programme based on traditional Greek dance on the jumping ability, muscle strength and lower limb endurance in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Forty Greek patients with CHF graded as NYHA ⩽ II and aged 73.2±4.7 years were randomly divided into two groups. Group A ( n=20) participated in a three-month physical rehabilitation programme based on Greek traditional dances, whereas group B ( n=20) remained untrained and served as the control group. All patients were studied before and after the 12-week exercise training programme. At baseline and follow-up the exercise capacity of the patients was evaluated by the six-minute walking test, their lower extremity muscle strength was evaluated by an isokinetic dynamometer and their jumping ability by the Myotest-Pro test, which includes three types of jumps (plyometric, countermovement and squat jumps).

RESULTS

No significant difference was observed between the two groups at the baseline evaluation. At follow-up, group A showed significant improvements in walking distance calculated from the six-minute walking test (10.0% improvement; p<0.05), in lower limb strength (10.32% improvement; p<0.05), and in countermovement jump speed (6.9%; p<0.05) and squat jump speed (5.8%; p<0.05). Group A also increased their jump plyometry height by 13.86% ( p<0.05), their counter jump height by 10.68% ( p<0.05) and their squat jump height by 10.45% ( p<0.05). Group A had a 6.85% ( p<0.05) increased force of counter jump compared with group B.

CONCLUSION

The design and implementation of cardiac rehabilitation programmes using Greek traditional dances in patients with CHF are both safe and effective in improving lower limb function.

The efficacy of a supervised exercise training programme on readmission rates in patients with myocardial ischemia: results from a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The results of research into the outcomes of physical rehabilitation and its relationship with post-myocardial ischaemia survival and readmissions are inconclusive. Our primary aim was to evaluate the efficacy of a supervised exercise training programme in terms of decreasing hospital cardiac readmission in patients with myocardial ischaemia.

METHODS

We conducted a randomised controlled trial including patients with myocardial ischaemia. Eligible patients were assigned to a control group receiving standard care or to an intervention group that took part in a supervised exercise training programme. The follow-up period was 12 months after hospital discharge.

RESULTS

Of 478 patients assessed for eligibility, 86 were randomised to the control group ( n = 44) or the intervention group ( n = 42). Cardiac readmission rates were 14% versus 5% ( p = 0.268) in the control and intervention groups, respectively, and all-cause readmission rates were 23% versus 15% ( p = 0.34). There were no deaths in either group. More control patients were treated in the emergency services (50% vs. 24%; p = 0.015). In terms of health-related quality of life, patients in the intervention group presented with significant increases in functional capacity and mobility. More intervention patients returned to work (77.3% vs. 36.0%; p = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

The supervised physical exercise programme was effective at reducing the number of emergency room visits and at increasing the percentage of patients who returned to work. It also improved patients' exercise capacity and increased their health-related quality of life. Although the results were promising, the programme was not associated with a significant reduction in cardiac and all-cause readmission rates.

Drop-out predictors in cardiac rehabilitation programmes and the impact of sex differences among coronary heart disease patients in an Iranian sample: a cohort study

Objective : To determine whether patients who subsequently drop out of a structured cardiac rehabilitation programme could be prospectively distinguished from those who remain in the programme based upon their initial baseline characteristics.

Design : A cohort study.

Setting : A referral rehabilitation department in a cardiovascular research and training institute.

Subjects : One thousand one hundred and fifteen coronary heart disease patients including patients with ischaemic heart disease, and those undergoing bypass surgery or percutaneous coronary interventions.

Interventions : Demographic characteristics, coronary heart disease risk factors, ejection fraction, functional capacity and laboratory tests were considered at baseline.

Main measures : Patients who completed all 24 sessions of the cardiac rehabilitation programme were compared with drop-out cases who did not.

Results : Four hundred and ninety-nine patients (44.8%) completed the whole cardiac rehabilitation programme. Women (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.817, P < 0.001), older patients (AOR 1.015, P = 0.047), patients with lower risk of coronary heart disease (AOR 1.573, P = 0.008) or lower body mass index (BMI) (AOR 0.945, P = 0.001) and higher waist-to-hip ratio (AOR 12.871, P = 0.009) and those who were non-smokers (AOR 1.779, P = 0.001) were significantly more likely to complete cardiac rehabilitation.

Conclusions : Developing interventions to address special needs of young, obese, smoker male patients who have a lower waist-to-hip ratio and higher clinical risk may be important, especially in attempts to retain this high-risk group in cardiac rehabilitation therapy.

A qualitative study investigating patients' beliefs about cardiac rehabilitation

Background: The opportunity to attend a cardiac rehabilitation course is usually offered to patients who have suffered a myocardial infarction. However, despite referral, many patients fail to attend.

Objective: To elicit patients' beliefs about the role of the cardiac rehabilitation course following myocardial infarction.

Design: Qualitative study using in-depth semi-structured interviews.

Setting: London Teaching Hospital.

Subjects: Thirteen patients were interviewed after discharge from hospital following myocardial infarction, but prior to attendance at cardiac rehabilitation.

Main outcome measures: Patients' beliefs about cardiac rehabilitation that may act as barriers to attendance.

Results: Themes identified included: the content of cardiac rehabilitation, perceptions of exercise, benefits of cardiac rehabilitation, explicit barriers to attendance and cardiac knowledge. Whilst some patients viewed cardiac rehabilitation as an important and necessary part of recovery others expressed doubt that it was appropriate for them. Some patients were uncertain of the course content and misunderstood the role of exercise and its perceived effects. Misconceptions with regard to cardiac knowledge were also apparent. The combination of erroneous beliefs about cardiac rehabilitation and cardiac misconceptions seemed to result in doubts regarding attendance.

Conclusions: Prior to course attendance some patients hold erroneous beliefs about the course content, especially the exercise component. Co-existent cardiac misconceptions are also apparent. Further research is needed to clarify the extent to which these beliefs may contribute to the decision not to attend cardiac rehabilitation.

Impact of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation on long-term clinical outcomes in patients with left main coronary artery stenosis

BACKGROUND

Cardiac rehabilitation may reduce cardiovascular mortality and morbidity rates in patients with coronary artery disease. The specific relationship between cardiac rehabilitation participation and left main coronary artery stenosis is unknown.

DESIGN

Prospective registry analysis.

METHODS

Data from a registry of 3120 patients with left main coronary artery stenosis, collected between 1995 and 2010, were analyzed. A total of 596 patients (19.6%) had participated in a cardiac rehabilitation program.

RESULTS

The crude seven-year mortality, cardiovascular mortality, target-vessel revascularization and myocardial infarction rates were significantly lower in the cardiac rehabilitation than in the non-rehabilitation group, and the incidence of stroke tended to be lower in the cardiac rehabilitation group. Multivariate analysis showed that cardiac rehabilitation was associated with significantly lower risks of mortality (hazard ratio (HR), 0.70; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.49-1.00; p = 0.05) and cardiovascular mortality (HR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.48-0.97; p = 0.03). However, the adjusted HR of myocardial infarction, target-vessel revascularization and stroke did not differ significantly. Propensity score-matched analysis of 507 pairs showed that cardiac rehabilitation was associated with significant decreases in mortality (HR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.43-0.89; p = 0.009) and cardiovascular mortality (HR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.36-0.80; p = 0.002) but had no beneficial effects on myocardial infarction, target-vessel revascularization or stroke.

CONCLUSIONS

Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation participation was associated with significant decreases in mortality. Our findings show that cardiac rehabilitation programs should be implemented in standard management for patients with left main coronary artery stenosis.

Factors Associated with Non-Attendance at a Secondary Prevention Clinic for Cardiac Patients

Background: A randomised controlled trial was undertaken to test the effectiveness of a secondary prevention clinic. Secondary prevention programs can improve prognosis after an acute cardiac illness. It is therefore important to encourage high participation rates. Aim: The present study was a post-hoc analysis to identify factors associated with patients’ non-attendance at the clinic. Methods: We compared the baseline socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of 83 (73.5% male) non-attending patients and a random sample of 96 (85.4% male) attending patients. Self-reported data were gathered during interviews conducted on an average of 30 months after hospital admission to investigate long-term outcomes of the clinic. Results: Using logistic regression analysis, we found that non-attendance was significantly and independently associated with being female, being under 60 years of age, having no history of high cholesterol and having no angina prior to the event. In bivariate analyses, non-attendance was also associated with being born overseas and not having private health insurance. Conclusions: Likely non-attending patients should be identified early and more effective strategies should be devised to facilitate their participation in secondary prevention programs.

Psychological Morbidity after Myocardial Infarction in an Area of Deprivation in the UK: Evaluation of a Self-Help Package

BACKGROUND

Psychological morbidity after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is known to be common, but can be addressed by appropriate rehabilitation. The area in which this research was conducted experiences high rates of deprivation and of coronary heart disease and limited access to hospital-based rehabilitation. Responding to concern about psychological needs of AMI patients, a self-help package was introduced and evaluated alongside standard hospital-based cardiac rehabilitation.

AIMS

To evaluate the impact of a home-based self-help package (the Heart Manual), alongside existing cardiac rehabilitation provision, on psychological morbidity and health status after AMI. A secondary aim was to assess the suitability of the Heart Manual for older patients aged over 80 years.

METHODS

A controlled observational study, comparing two cohorts of patients discharged from hospital after AMI. The intervention group was given the self-help package in addition to standard care. The control group received standard care alone. Outcome measures used were the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the EuroQol.

RESULTS

The intervention group showed significant improvement in anxiety and depression scores after 3 months and nonsignificant improvement in general health status. Patients who attended hospital-based rehabilitation classes, and those aged over 80 years, also benefited from the intervention.

CONCLUSION

A home-based self-help rehabilitation package is an effective tool alongside hospital-based rehabilitation classes and can be given to all age groups.

Effects of Exercise and Sertraline on Measures of Coronary Heart Disease Risk in Patients With Major Depression: Results From the SMILE-II Randomized Clinical Trial

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effects of supervised and home-based aerobic exercise training, and antidepressant pharmacotherapy (sertraline) on coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors in a sample of participants with major depressive disorder (MDD).

METHODS

The Standard Medical Intervention versus Long-term Exercise (SMILE)-II study randomized 202 adults (153 women, 49 men) diagnosed as having MDD to one of four interventions, each of 4-month duration: supervised exercise, home-based exercise, antidepressant medication (sertraline, 50-200 mg daily), or placebo pill. Patients underwent a structured clinical interview for depression and completed the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. CHD risk factors included brachial artery flow-mediated dilation, carotid intima-media thickness, serum lipids, and 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk.

RESULTS

Compared with placebo, active treatment of depression (supervised exercise, home-based exercise, sertraline therapy) was associated with an improvement in CHD risk factors (improved flow-mediated dilation [p = .032], reduced progression of intima-media thickness [p = .037], and a reduction in 10-year ASCVD [p = .049]). The active treatments did not differ from each other in their effects on the CHD risk outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Both exercise and antidepressant medication improved CHD risk factors and lowered ASCVD risk in patients with MDD. Because MDD is associated with increased risk for CHD events, treatment of depression with exercise or sertraline may reduce the risk of developing CHD in patients with MDD.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinical Trials Government Identifier: NCT-00331305.

Exercise-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation for Coronary Heart Disease: Cochrane Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Although recommended in guidelines for the management of coronary heart disease (CHD), concerns have been raised about the applicability of evidence from existing meta-analyses of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR).

OBJECTIVES

The goal of this study is to update the Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis of exercise-based CR for CHD.

METHODS

The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Science Citation Index Expanded were searched to July 2014. Retrieved papers, systematic reviews, and trial registries were hand-searched. We included randomized controlled trials with at least 6 months of follow-up, comparing CR to no-exercise controls following myocardial infarction or revascularization, or with a diagnosis of angina pectoris or CHD defined by angiography. Two authors screened titles for inclusion, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias. Studies were pooled using random effects meta-analysis, and stratified analyses were undertaken to examine potential treatment effect modifiers.

RESULTS

A total of 63 studies with 14,486 participants with median follow-up of 12 months were included. Overall, CR led to a reduction in cardiovascular mortality (relative risk: 0.74; 95% confidence interval: 0.64 to 0.86) and the risk of hospital admissions (relative risk: 0.82; 95% confidence interval: 0.70 to 0.96). There was no significant effect on total mortality, myocardial infarction, or revascularization. The majority of studies (14 of 20) showed higher levels of health-related quality of life in 1 or more domains following exercise-based CR compared with control subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms that exercise-based CR reduces cardiovascular mortality and provides important data showing reductions in hospital admissions and improvements in quality of life. These benefits appear to be consistent across patients and intervention types and were independent of study quality, setting, and publication date.

Prognostic value of the post-training oxygen uptake efficiency slope in patients with coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND

Peak oxygen uptake is an independent predictor of mortality in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, patients with CAD are not always capable of reaching peak effort, and therefore submaximal gas exchange variables such as the oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES) have been introduced. Baseline exercise capacity as expressed by OUES provides prognostic information and this parameter responds to training. Therefore, we aimed to assess the prognostic value of post-training OUES in patients with CAD.

METHODS

We included 960 patients with CAD (age 60.6 ± 9.5 years; 853 males) who completed a cardiac rehabilitation program between 2000 and 2011. The OUES was calculated before and after cardiac rehabilitation and information on mortality was obtained. The relationships of post-training OUES with all-cause and cardiovascular (CV) mortality was assessed by Cox proportional hazards regression analyses. Receiver operator characteristic curve analysis was performed in order to obtain the optimal cut-off value.

RESULTS

During 7.37 ± 3.20 years of follow-up (range: 0.45-13.75 years), 108 patients died, among whom 47 died due to CV reasons. The post-training OUES was related to all-cause (hazard ratio: 0.50, p < 0.001) and CV (hazard ratio: 0.40, p < 0.001) mortality. When significant covariates, including baseline OUES, were entered into the Cox regression analysis, post-training OUES remained related to all-cause and CV mortality (hazard ratio: 0.40, p < 0.01 and 0.26, p < 0.01, respectively). In addition, the change in OUES due to exercise training was positively related to mortality (hazard ratio: 0.49, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Post-training OUES has stronger prognostic value compared to baseline OUES. The lack of improvement in exercise capacity expressed by OUES after an exercise training program relates to a worse prognosis and can help distinguish patients with favorable and unfavorable prognoses.

Effects of Complementary Creatine Monohydrate and Physical Training on Inflammatory and Endothelial Dysfunction Markers Among Heart Failure Patients

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have reported endothelial dysfunction and inflammatory cytokine in heart failure patients (HF).

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of creatine monohydrate and exercise on inflammatory and endothelial dysfunction markers among HF patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

One hundred patients were prospectively randomized into two groups: Intervention group which received 5 grams/day creatine monohydrate and exercised for 8 weeks; and control group which did not receive any interventions. Interleukine-6 (IL-6), high sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP), P-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) were measured at the start and end of the study for both groups.

RESULTS

In total, 100 patients including 50 controls and 50 intervention group (54% male, mean EF of 34.2 ± 10.5% and 52% male, mean EF of 35.6 ± 12.7%, respectively) were analyzed. The serum levels of hs-CRP and IL-6 increased at the end of the study in the control group compared to the baseline, (7.5 ± 1.5 mg/L vs. 6.9 ± 1.3 mg/L, P < 0.05 and 3.0 ± 0.75 ng/L vs. 2.55 ± 0.9 ng/L, P < 0.05, respectively). However, compared to the baseline, the level of both markers decreased at the end of the study in the intervention group (6.3 ± 1.6 mg/L vs.7.5 ± 1.5 mg/L, P < 0.05 and 2.1 ± 0.8 ng/L vs.2.5 ± 0.5 ng/L, P < 0.05). Also, P-selectin and ICAM-1 levels increased at the end of study (56.9 ± 1.8 ng/L vs. 51.9 ± 1.5 ng/L, P < 0.05 and 368.1 ± 25.4 µg/L vs. 353.1 ± 10.4 µg/L, P < 0.05 respectively). Inversely, the levels of these markers decreased in the intervention group, at the end of study (49.7 ± 1.9 ng/l vs. 51.4 ± 2.1 ng/l, P < 0.05 and 342.7 ± 16.5 µg/l vs. 350.4 ± 14.7 µg/l, P < 0.05, respectively). VCAM-1 level was not decreased significantly at the end of the study in the intervention group (570.5 ± 78.4 µg/L vs. 575.3 ± 86.5 µg/L, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Combination of creatine monohydrate and exercise attenuated inflammation and endothelial dysfunction markers among heart failure patients.

The Effects of Free-Living Physical Activity on Mortality After Coronary Artery Disease Diagnosis

BACKGROUND

Previous research demonstrates greater survival among coronary artery disease (CAD) patients who engage in cardiac rehabilitation. No national prospective studies, however, have examined the effects of objectively measured free-living physical activity on mortality among CAD patients, which is important because only 25% of eligible cardiac patients participate in cardiac rehabilitation. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the association between objectively measured free-living physical activity on all-cause mortality among a national sample of CAD patients.

HYPOTHESIS

We hypothesize that free-living physical activity will be inversely associated with all-cause mortality risk among CAD patients.

METHODS

Data from the 2003 to 2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used, with follow-up through 2011. Physical activity was assessed over 7 days during waking hours using the ActiGraph 7164 accelerometer.

RESULTS

Among the 256 CAD adults (representative of 6.5 million CAD patients in the United States), 68 died over the follow-up period (26.56%). The median follow-up period was 76.5 months (interquartile range = 62-91 months). After adjustment, for every 60-minute increase in daily free-living physical activity, CAD patients had a 16% reduced risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio: 0.84, 95% confidence interval: 0.72-0.97).

CONCLUSIONS

Free-living objectively measured physical activity is associated with greater survival among CAD patients in the United States. If confirmed by future research, development of strategies to not only increase participation in supervised cardiac rehabilitation, but also increase participation in free-living physical activity, are needed.

Long-Term Outcomes of Cardiac Rehabilitation in Diabetic and Non-diabetic Patients With Myocardial Infarction

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the long-term outcomes of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on exercise capacity in diabetic (DM) and non-diabetic (non-DM) patients with myocardial infarction (MI).

METHODS

Of the MI patients who received hospital-based CR from February 2012 to January 2014, we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of the patients who continued follow-up through the outpatient clinic and community-based self-exercise after CR. A total of 37 patients (12 with DM and 25 without DM) were included in this study. Exercise capacity was measured by symptom-limited exercise tests before and after hospital-based CR and 1 year after the onset of MI.

RESULTS

Before the CR, the DM group had significantly lower exercise capacity in exercise times, peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak), and metabolic equivalent tasks (METs) than did the non-DM group. After the CR, both groups showed significantly improved exercise capacity, but the DM group had significantly lower exercise capacity in exercise times, submaximal rate pressure products (RPPsubmax), VO2peak, and METs. One year after the onset of the MI, the DM group had significantly lower exercise capacity in exercise times, RPPsubmax, and VO2peak than did the non-DM group, and neither group showed a significant difference in exercise capacity between before and after the CR.

CONCLUSION

As a result of continued follow-up through an outpatient clinic and community-based self-exercise after hospital-based CR in patients with MI, the DM group still had lower exercise capacity than did the non-DM group 1 year after the onset of MI, but both groups maintained their improved exercise capacity following hospital-based CR.

Exercise Modulates Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Aging and Cardiovascular Diseases

Despite the wealth of epidemiological and experimental studies indicating the protective role of regular physical activity/exercise training against the sequels of aging and cardiovascular diseases, the molecular transducers of exercise/physical activity benefits are not fully identified but should be further investigated in more integrative and innovative approaches, as they bear the potential for transformative discoveries of novel therapeutic targets. As aging and cardiovascular diseases are associated with a chronic state of oxidative stress and inflammation mediated via complex and interconnected pathways, we will focus in this review on the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions of exercise, mainly exerted on adipose tissue, skeletal muscles, immune system, and cardiovascular system by modulating anti-inflammatory/proinflammatory cytokines profile, redox-sensitive transcription factors such as nuclear factor kappa B, activator protein-1, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha, antioxidant and prooxidant enzymes, and repair proteins such as heat shock proteins, proteasome complex, oxoguanine DNA glycosylase, uracil DNA glycosylase, and telomerase. It is important to note that the effects of exercise vary depending on the type, intensity, frequency, and duration of exercise as well as on the individual's characteristics; therefore, the development of personalized exercise programs is essential.

Internet-based interventions for the secondary prevention of coronary heart disease

BACKGROUND

The Internet could provide a means of delivering secondary prevention programmes to people with coronary heart disease (CHD).

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effectiveness of Internet-based interventions targeting lifestyle changes and medicines management for the secondary prevention of CHD.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE, in December 2014. We also searched six other databases in October 2014, and three trials registers in January 2015 together with reference checking and handsearching to identify additional studies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating Internet-delivered secondary prevention interventions aimed at people with CHD.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently assessed risk of bias and extracted data according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. We assessed evidence quality using the GRADE approach and presented this in a 'Summary of findings' table.

MAIN RESULTS

Eighteen trials met our inclusion criteria. Eleven studies are complete (1392 participants), and seven are ongoing. Of the completed studies, seven interventions are broad, targeting the lifestyle management of CHD, and four focused on physical activity promotion. The comparison group in trials was usual care (n = 6), minimal intervention (n = 3), or traditional cardiac rehabilitation (n = 2).We found no effects of Internet-based interventions for all-cause mortality (odds ratio (OR) 0.27, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.04 to 1.63; participants = 895; studies = 6; low-quality evidence). There was only one case of cardiovascular mortality in a control group (participants = 895; studies = 6). No incidences of non-fatal re-infarction were reported across any of the studies. We found no effects for revascularisation (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.37 to 1.27; participants = 895; studies = 6; low-quality evidence).We found no effects for total cholesterol (mean difference (MD) 0.00, 95% CI -0.27 to 0.28; participants = 439; studies = 4; low-quality evidence), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (MD 0.01, 95% CI -0.06 to 0.07; participants = 437; studies = 4; low-quality evidence), or triglycerides (MD 0.01, 95% CI -0.17 to 0.19; participants = 439; studies = 4; low-quality evidence). We did not pool the data for low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol due to considerable heterogeneity. Two out of six trials measuring LDL cholesterol detected favourable intervention effects, and four trials reported no effects. Seven studies measured systolic and diastolic blood pressure; we did not pool the data due to substantial heterogeneity. For systolic blood pressure, two studies showed a reduction with the intervention, but the remaining studies showed no effect. For diastolic blood pressure, two studies showed a reduction with the intervention, one study showed an increase with the intervention, and the remaining four studies showed no effect.Five trials measured health-related quality of life (HRQOL). We could draw no conclusions from one study due to incomplete reporting; one trial reported no effect; two studies reported a short- and medium-term effect respectively; and one study reported both short- and medium-term effects.Five trials assessed dietary outcomes: two reported favourable effects, and three reported no effects. Eight studies assessed physical activity: five of these trials reported no physical activity effects, and three reported effectiveness. Trials are yet to measure the impact of these interventions on compliance with medication.Two studies measured healthcare utilisation: one reported no effects, and the other reported increased usage of healthcare services compared to a control group in the intervention group at nine months' follow-up. Two trials collected cost data: both reported that Internet-delivered interventions are likely to be cost-effective.In terms of the risk of bias, the majority of studies reported appropriate randomisation and appropriate concealment of randomisation processes. A lack of blinding resulted in a risk of performance bias in seven studies, and a risk of detection bias in five trials. Two trials were at risk of attrition bias, and five were at risk for reporting bias.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

In general, evidence was of low quality due to lack of blinding, loss to follow-up, and uncertainty around the effect size. Few studies measured clinical events, and of those that did, a very small number of events were reported, and therefore no firm conclusions can be made. Similarly, there was no clear evidence of effect for cardiovascular risk factors, although again the number of studies reporting these was small. There was some evidence for beneficial effects on HRQOL, dietary outcomes, and physical activity, although firm conclusions cannot yet be made. The effects on healthcare utilisation and cost-effectiveness are also inconclusive, and trials are yet to measure the impact of Internet interventions on compliance with medication. The comparison groups differed across trials, and there were insufficient studies with usable data for subgroup analyses. We intend to study the intensity of comparison groups in future updates of this review when more evidence is available. The completion of the ongoing trials will add to the evidence base.

Importance of early cardiac rehabilitation on changes in exercise capacity: a retrospective pilot study

Graded cardiopulmonary exercise tests were analyzed from 62 coronary artery disease patients (n = 48 males; age, 72 ± 10 years; body mass index, 27 ± 4 kg/m2) before and after 18 ± 2 months of cardiac rehabilitation (CR). Early initiation of CR (<114 days) produced greater increases in peak metabolic equivalents (METs) compared with the late (≥114 days) CR group (68% ± 51% vs. 41% ± 39%, p < 0.05). A negative correlation was found between CR delay and peak METs (r = −0.32; p = 0.02). Early initiation of CR may be important to maximize cardiorespiratory adaptations to chronic exercise training.

EFEITOS DO TREINAMENTO FÍSICO NO ENDOTÉLIO APÓS CIRURGIA DE REVASCULARIZAÇÃO

Introdução A cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio (CRM) é uma das mais frequentes cirurgias realizadas em todo o mundo, muitos estudos vêm relatando os benefícios do treinamento físico para a melhora da capacidade funcional, porém há poucos estudos sobre os efeitos na função endotelial vascular. Objetivo Analisar os efeitos do treinamento físico sobre a função endotelial vascular em pacientes submetidos à CRM, isoladamente na fase tardia da reabilitação após seis meses de programa de reabilitação cardíaca (PCR). Métodos Foram incluídos pacientes que haviam sido submetidos à CRM no período máximo de um ano após a cirurgia. O PRC foi empregado durante seis meses consecutivos, com três sessões semanais. Todos os pacientes realizaram exames laboratoriais, teste de força muscular de uma repetição máxima (1-RM) para os membros superiores e inferiores, teste de caminhada de 6 min (TC6M) e avaliação da função endotelial através da técnica de vasodilatação mediada pelo fluxo. Resultados Onze pacientes iniciaram o PRC, porém nove pacientes o completaram. A média de idade foi de 66 anos (50 a 82 anos) e o sexo masculino foi predominante (55,6%). Houve mudanças significativas nos exames laboratoriais bioquímicos: aumento do colesterol total (Basal: 162 ± 31mg/dL vs. 195 ± 39mg/dL; P=0,012) e diminuição da hemoglobina glicada (Basal: 6,74 ± 1,64% vs. 6,26 ± 1,62%; P=0,028). A força muscular aumentou significativamente nos membros superiores e inferiores (P=0,030 e P=0,038, respectivamente); no TC6M observou-se um aumento significativo de 20% na distância percorrida (P=0,020) após seis meses consecutivos de treinamento e houve uma melhora na vasodilatação mediada pelo fluxo (Basal: 6,35 ± 3,92% vs. 6 meses: 9,90 ± 4,19%; P=0,026). Conclusão O treinamento combinado realizado em seis meses ajudou a melhorar a função endotelial e a capacidade funcional de pacientes sedentários que foram submetidos à CRM na fase tardia da reabilitação.

Preseason preparation training and endothelial function in elite professional soccer players

AIM

To examine whether a high volume of soccer-specific training can lead to endothelial activation and/or dysfunction in professional soccer players due to exercise-induced oxidative stress.

METHODS

Twenty-three (15 nonsmokers and eight smokers) healthy, elite male professional soccer players (mean age: 25.2±4.3 years, BMI: 23.1±1.3 kg/m(2), fat: 7.8%±2.6%) were selected for this study. All participants had a full clinical and laboratory evaluation. von Willebrand factor antigen (vWf Ag) plasma levels were measured on two different occasions: 1 day before the beginning of the preseason preparation period and after 7 weeks of strenuous exercise.

RESULTS

Mean vWf Ag plasma levels were significantly decreased from 95.1%±26% to 88.3%±27.2% at the end of the experimental period (P=0.018), suggesting a potential beneficial effect on the endothelium of these athletes. Further analysis showed that age greater than 29 years with an age range from 29 to 34 years can not impair this effect (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Strenuous exercise did not lead to endothelium activation or dysfunction in well-trained elite soccer players. On the contrary, it seemed to produce a beneficial effect on the endothelium of these players.

Comparison of cardiorespiratory responses during aquatic and land treadmill exercise in patients with coronary artery disease

PURPOSE

To investigate cardiorespiratory responses during exercise stress tests using an aquatic treadmill and a land-based treadmill in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

METHODS

Twenty-one stable CAD patients were enrolled. All patients participated in 2 symptom-limited incremental exercise tests, using both an aquatic and a land treadmill. For the aquatic treadmill protocol, patients were submerged to the upper waist in 28°C water. The treadmill speed started at 2.0 km/h and increased 0.5 km/h every minute thereafter. For the land treadmill protocol, the speed and gradient were started at 2.4 km/h and 1.5%, respectively. The speed was increased by 0.3 km/h and grade by 1% every minute thereafter. Oxygen consumption ((Equation is included in full-text article.)O2), heart rate (HR), and respiratory exchange ratio were measured continuously and peak values recorded. Rating of perceived exertion, percentage of age-predicted maximal HR, and total exercise duration were also recorded.

RESULTS

Peak cardiorespiratory responses during both protocols were compared. The peak (Equation is included in full-text article.)O2 and peak HR did not show any significant differences. The peak respiratory exchange ratio was significantly greater using the land treadmill than the aquatic treadmill protocol. Rating of perceived exertion, age-predicted maximal HR percentage, and total exercise duration were similar for both protocols. There was a significant linear relationship between HR and (Equation is included in full-text article.)O2 with both protocols.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that aquatic treadmill exercise elicits similar peak cardiorespiratory responses compared with land treadmill exercise, suggesting that aquatic treadmill exercise may be effective for CAD patients in cardiac rehabilitation.

[Cardiac rehabilitation after myocardial infarction]

Although the proofs of the benefits of cardiac rehabilitation accumulate, many patients are not sent to rehabilitation units, especially younger and very elderly patients. As the length of stay in acute care units decreases, rehabilitation offers more time to fully assess the patients' conditions and needs. Meta-analyses of randomised trials suggest that mortality can be improved by as much as 20-30%. In addition, rehabilitation helps managing risk factors, including hyperlipidemia, diabetes, smoking and sedentary behaviours. Physical training also helps improving exercise capacity. Because of all of these effects, cardiac rehabilitation for post-myocardial infarction patients has been given a class IA recommendation in current guidelines.

Drivers of Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Cardiac Rehabilitation Use: Patient and Provider Perspectives

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) use is lower for racial and ethnic minorities than White patients. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that drive this disparity at the system, provider, and patient levels. A mixed methods study combined descriptive analysis of 2007 Medicare claims data and thematic analysis of 19 clinician interviews, 8 minority patient focus groups and 8 one-on-one interviews with minority heart patients across three communities. The disparity between White and non-White CR use ranged from 7 to 11 percentage points among study sites (p < .05). Key themes suggest disparities are driven by (a) flawed financing and reimbursement that creates disincentives to invest in CR programs, (b) a health care system whose priorities are misaligned with the needs of patients, and (c) subjective decision-making around referral processes. These findings suggest that the health care system needs to address multiple levels of problems to mitigate disparities in CR use.

Rehabilitation practice patterns for patients with heart failure: the Asian perspective

More countries around world have begun to use cardiac rehabilitation in patients diagnosed with chronic heart failure (HF). Asia is the largest continent in the world and, depending on its economy, culture, and beliefs, a given Asian country differs from Western countries as well as others in Asia. The cardiac rehabilitation practice patterns for patients with HF are somewhat different in Asia. In addition to the formal pattern of Western practice, it also includes special techniques and skills, such as Taiji, Qigong, and Yoga. This article describes cardiac rehabilitation patterns for patients with HF in most Asian countries and areas.

Danhong Injection (a Traditional Chinese Patent Medicine) for Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective. We aimed to systematically assess the efficacy and safety of Danhong injection (DHI) for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients. Methods. We searched several electrical databases and hand searched several Chinese medical journals. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing DHI plus conventional western medicine with conventional western medicine plus placebo and RCTs comparing DHI plus conventional western medicine with conventional western medicine were retrieved. Study screening, data extraction, quality assessment, and data analysis were conducted in accordance with the Cochrane standards. Results. 13 RCTs enrolling 979 patients were included. Danhong injection could significantly reduce the risk of mortality, recurrent angina, arrhythmia, and heart failure. In addition, DHI was associated with improvement of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and reperfusion. No significant difference of DHI was found on recurrent acute myocardial infarction. However, the safety of DHI remained unknown for limited data. Conclusion. DHI might be a potentially efficacious treatment for AMI patients. Nevertheless, the safety of DHI remained uncertain for limited information. Due to the fact that the overall quality of all included studies is generally low, more high quality RCTs are expected to validate the efficacy and safety of DHI for AMI patients.

Influence of glycemic control on gain in VO2 peak, in patients with type 2 diabetes enrolled in cardiac rehabilitation after an acute coronary syndrome. The prospective DARE study

Background

Gain in VO2 peak after cardiac rehabilitation (CR) following an acute coronary syndrome (ACS), is associated with reduced mortality and morbidity. We have previously shown in CR, that gain in VO2 peak is reduced in Type 2 diabetic patients and that response to CR is impaired by hyperglycemia.

Methods

We set up a prospective multicenter study (DARE) whose primary objective was to determine whether good glycemic control during CR may improve the gain in VO2 peak. Sixty four type 2 diabetic patients, referred to CR after a recent ACS, were randomized to insulin intensive therapy or a control group with continuation of the pre-CR antidiabetic treatment. The primary objective was to study the effect of glycemic control during CR on the improvement of peak VO2 by comparing first the 2 treatment groups (insulin intensive vs. control) and second, 2 pre-specified glycemic control groups according to the final fructosamine level (below and above the median).

Results

At the end of the CR program, the gain in VO2 peak and the final fructosamine level (assessing glycemic level during CR) were not different between the 2 treatment groups. However, patients who had final fructosamine level below the median value, assessing good glycemic control during CR, showed significantly higher gain in VO2 peak (3.5 ± 2.4 vs. 1.7 ± 2.4 ml/kg/min,p = 0.014) and ventilatory threshold (2.7 ± 2.5 vs. 1.2 ± 1.9 ml/kg/min,p = 0.04) and a higher proportion of good CR-responders (relative gain in VO2 peak ≥ 16 %): 66 % vs. 36 %, p = 0.011. In multivariate analysis, gain in VO2 peak was associated with final fructosamine level (p = 0.010) but not with age, gender, duration of diabetes, type of ACS, insulin treatment or basal fructosamine.

Conclusions

The DARE study shows that, in type 2 diabetes, good glycemic control during CR is an independent factor associated with gain in VO2 peak. This emphasizes the need for good glycemic control in CR for type 2 diabetic patients.

Trial registration

Trial registered as NCT00354237 (19 July 2006).

Exercise and the cardiovascular system: clinical science and cardiovascular outcomes

Substantial evidence has established the value of high levels of physical activity, exercise training (ET), and overall cardiorespiratory fitness in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. This article reviews some basics of exercise physiology and the acute and chronic responses of ET, as well as the effect of physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness on cardiovascular diseases. This review also surveys data from epidemiological and ET studies in the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases, particularly coronary heart disease and heart failure. These data strongly support the routine prescription of ET to all patients and referrals for patients with cardiovascular diseases, especially coronary heart disease and heart failure, to specific cardiac rehabilitation and ET programs.

Design and methods of the Gentle Cardiac Rehabilitation Study--A behavioral study of tai chi exercise for patients not attending cardiac rehabilitation

INTRODUCTION

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs reduce overall and cardiovascular mortality in patients with a history of acute coronary events or revascularization procedures, but only 30% of patients enroll in CR and attrition rates reach up to 60%. Tai chi, a mind-body practice based on light/moderate aerobic exercise accompanied by meditative components could be a possible exercise option for patients who do not attend CR.

METHODS/DESIGN

Sixty patients will be randomized to a "LITE" condition (one tai chi session twice weekly for 12 weeks) or to a "PLUS" condition (one tai chi session 3 times weekly for 12 weeks, followed by maintenance classes 1-2 times weekly for an additional 12 weeks). Measurements will be conducted at baseline, 3-, 6-, and 9 months after enrollment. The primary outcome is to determine the feasibility, acceptability and safety of each dose. Secondary outcomes include estimates of effect size of each dose on accelerometry-assessed physical activity; the proportion of patients meeting current recommendations for physical activity; and measures of fitness, quality of life, body weight, and sleep. In addition, we will collect exploratory information on possible mediators (exercise self-efficacy, perceived social support, resilience, mindfulness, and depression).

CONCLUSIONS

Findings from this pilot study will provide preliminary indications about the usefulness of tai chi as an exercise option for patients not attending traditional CR programs. Results will also shed light on the possible mechanisms by which tai chi practice may improve overall physical activity among patients with atherosclerotic coronary heart disease.

Narrative review comparing the benefits of and participation in cardiac rehabilitation in high-, middle- and low-income countries

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of morbidity worldwide. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a comprehensive secondary prevention approach, with established benefits in reducing morbidity in high-income countries (HICs). The objectives of this review were to summarise what is known about the benefits of CR, including consideration of cost-effectiveness, in addition to rates of CR participation and adherence in high-, as well as low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

METHODS

A literature search of Medline, Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE), and Google Scholar was conducted for published articles from database inception to October 2013. The search was first directed to identify meta-analyses and reviews reporting on the benefits of CR. Then, the search was focussed to identify articles reporting CR participation and dropout rates. Full-text versions of relevant abstracts were summarised qualitatively.

RESULTS

Based on meta-analysis, CR significantly reduced all-cause mortality by 13%-26%, cardiac mortality by 20%-36%, myocardial re-infarction by 25%-47%, and risk factors. CR is cost-effective in HICs. In LMICs, CR is demonstrated to reduce risk factors, with no studies on mortality or cost-effectiveness. Based on available data, CR participation rates are <50% in the majority of countries, with documented dropout rates up to 56% and 82% in high- and middle-income countries, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

CR is a beneficial intervention for heart patients in high and LMICs, but is underutilised with low participation and adherence rates worldwide. While more research is needed in LMICs, strategies shown to increase participation and program adherence should be implemented.

Cardiac remodeling and physical training post myocardial infarction

After myocardial infarction (MI), the heart undergoes extensive myocardial remodeling through the accumulation of fibrous tissue in both the infarcted and noninfarcted myocardium, which distorts tissue structure, increases tissue stiffness, and accounts for ventricular dysfunction. There is growing clinical consensus that exercise training may beneficially alter the course of post-MI myocardial remodeling and improve cardiac function. This review summarizes the present state of knowledge regarding the effect of post-MI exercise training on infarcted hearts. Due to the degree of difficulty to study a viable human heart at both protein and molecular levels, most of the detailed studies have been performed by using animal models. Although there are some negative reports indicating that post-MI exercise may further cause deterioration of the wounded hearts, a growing body of research from both human and animal experiments demonstrates that post-MI exercise may beneficially alter the course of wound healing and improve cardiac function. Furthermore, the improved function is likely due to exercise training-induced mitigation of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, improved balance between matrix metalloproteinase-1 and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1, favorable myosin heavy chain isoform switch, diminished oxidative stress, enhanced antioxidant capacity, improved mitochondrial calcium handling, and boosted myocardial angiogenesis. Additionally, meta-analyses revealed that exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation has proven to be effective, and remains one of the least expensive therapies for both the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease, and prevents re-infarction.

Evidence for distinct effects of exercise in different cardiac hypertrophic disorders

Aerobic exercise training (AET) attenuates or reverses pathological cardiac remodeling after insults such as chronic hypertension and myocardial infarction. The phenotype of the pathologically hypertrophied heart depends on the insult; therefore, it is likely that distinct types of pathological hypertrophy require different exercise regimens. However, the mechanisms by which AET improves the structure and function of the pathologically hypertrophied heart are not well understood, and exercise research uses highly inconsistent exercise regimens in diverse patient populations. There is a clear need for systematic research to identify precise exercise prescriptions for different conditions of pathological hypertrophy. Therefore, this review synthesizes existing evidence for the distinct mechanisms by which AET benefits the heart in different pathological hypertrophy conditions, suggests strategic exercise prescriptions for these conditions, and highlights areas for future research.

[Effects of long-term exercise training on left ventricular function and remodeling in patients with anterior wall myocardial infarction]

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effects of long-term exercise training on the function and remodeling of the left ventricle after myocardial infarction.

METHODS

We studied 90 patients with a first acute anterior-wall myocardial infarction, all received conventional medical treatment. Symptom-limited maximal exercise stress tests, echocardiograms and effort-rest isotopic ventriculographies at 2, 6 and 12 months after myocardial infarction were performed; the follow-up time averaged 36.3±17 months. All patients joined a cardiac rehabilitation program with moderate or intense exercise training lasting at least a year. Of all patients, 41.1% suffered severe left ventricle dysfunction.

RESULTS

Ergometric parameters that expressed functional capacity increased significantly (P<.0005) at the sixth month evaluation and remained unchanged after a year. There was significant decrease (P<.01) of exercise myocardial ischemia at 6 months. The variables that measured size and function of left ventricle did not change during evolution. Morbidity amounted to 16.7% and total mortality of the series was 13.3%, with 8.9% of cardiovascular cause.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term exercise training showed no deleterious effects on left ventricle function or remodeling and beneficial functional and clinical effects were obtained in these rehabilitated postinfarction patients.