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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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The positive effects of cardiac rehabilitation programs (CRPs) on cardiovascular patients have been demonstrated. However, their effectiveness in improving systolic function and preventing remodeling process needs to be further evaluated. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of an 8-week CRP on left ventricular systolic function and mass in patients after myocardial infarction. Methods: A total number of 29 male patients with myocardial infarction were allocated into cardiac training group (n = 15; mean age = 54.2 ±9.04 years) and control group (n = 14; mean age = 51.71 ± 6.98 years). Patients in the training group performed an 8-week CRP with an intensity of 60-85% of maximum heart rate. The program was performed 3 times a week and each session lasted 60 minutes. Before the CRP and at the end of the study, all patients underwent 2-dimentional echocardiography for left ventricular systolic function and mass to be assessed. Findings: Our findings showed that the 8-week CRP improved left ventricular systolic function in the patients. At the end of the CRP, left ventricular end diastolic dimension increased in the control group. On the other hand, end diastolic volume and end systolic volume decreased significantly in the training group. In addition, ejection fraction and stroke volume increased significantly in the training group. Although left ventricular mass decreased in the training group, the difference between the two groups was not significant. Conclusion: An 8-week CRP in post-myocardial infarction patients can lead to improved systolic function and decreased left ventricular mass and thus prevent cardiomegaly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cardiac rehabilitation and secondary prevention is an integral part of the treatment of patient with cardiovascular disease to date, however the effect of this programs on systolic and diastolic function is controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 8 weeks cardiac rehabilitation program on diastolic function and functional capacity in patients with myocardial infarction. Methods: twenty-nine post myocardial patient enrolled in this study, which was completed in cardiac rehabilitation group (15 men) and control group (14 men). Echocardiographic measures of diastolic filling and functional capacity by symptom limited exercise test based on naughton protocol on treadmill were performed at baseline and after 8 weeks of training. Data were analyzed using repeated analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) in P < 0.05 level. Findings: After 8 weeks cardiac rehabilitation program, diastolic filling indicators did not change significantly (E velocity, A velocity, E/A ratio and deceleration time). But functional capacity increase significantly in cardiac rehabilitation group. But, functional capacity, resting HR and maximal HR improved significantly in the training group compared to the control group. Conclusion: This study revealed that Cardiac rehabilitation program for 8 weeks significantly improves functional capacity in post myocardial patients but diastolic function did not change significantly. It seems likely that the improvement in functional capacity largely pertain to non cardiac effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]