Clinical and Economic Aspects of Meldonium as Part of Physical Rehabilitation Programs in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease After Percutaneous Coronary Interventions

Purpose to analyze clinical and economical effectiveness of meldonium as component of integrated program of cardio-rehabilitation in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) in the early period after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with incomplete revascularization. Material and methods A program of controlled physical training (CPT) was carried out in patients with stable IHD and positive post PCI exercise test (n=48, age less or equal 65 years) starting 8-10 days after PCI. CRT program consisted of 2 phases - inhospital (exercise on treadmill with max heart rate [HR] 80% of that achieved in initial test, 10 times during 2 weeks) and home (exercise on treadmill with max HR 60% of HR achieved in initial test, 3 times a week for 2 months). Before initiation of CRT patients were distributed into 2 groups: CRT without (n=23; 56.7+/-7.1 years) and with (n=25; 54.6+/-6.8 years) administration of meldonium (1000 mg/day intravenously). Control group (n=24; 50+/-8.4 years) consisted of patients who were under outpatient observation, received similar drug therapy, but were not subjected to CRT. After completion of CRT (in 2.5 months) all patients underwent clinical-instrumental examination with determination of exercise tolerance. Results Exercise duration and metabolic equivalent (MET) increased by 43.9, 36.6, 4.1% and 42.1, 34.8, 3.4% in CRT+ meldonium, CRT only, and control groups, respectively. Conclusion In patients with documented ischemia after PCI inclusion of meldonium in the scheme of rehabilitation was associated with improved physical performance and optimal cost-effectiviness.