Association Between Adherence to a 3-Month Cardiac Rehabilitation Program and Long-Term Clinical Outcomes in Japanese Patients With Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation (CCR) completion and long-term clinical outcomes in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED).

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 834 patients with CIED who participated in CCR, which included a cardiopulmonary exercise test or 6-min walk test. Patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40%, predicted peak oxygen uptake ≤80%, or B-type natriuretic peptide level ≥80 pg/mL were eligible.

Depressive symptoms interfere with the improvement in exercise capacity by cardiac rehabilitation after left ventricular assist device implantation.

Background: Although depressive symptoms are associated with an increased risk of readmission after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation, it is unclear whether they affect the efficacy of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (EBCR). This study aimed to investigate the effect of depressive symptoms on EBCR efficacy.

Methods: We analyzed 48 patients who participated in EBCR after LVAD implantation (mean age 45 ± 12 years; 60% male).

Cardiac rehabilitation program improves exercise capacity in heart transplantation recipients regardless of marginal donor factors.

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is recommended to improve exercise capacity after heart transplantation (HTx); however, the effects of marginal donor factors are unclear. Forty-one recipients participated in a 3-month CR program early after HTx (mean age 39 ± 14 years; 88% male). Patients were divided into marginal (≥ 2 marginal donor factors; n = 24) and control groups (< 2 marginal donor factors; n = 17).

Effects of exercise training on physical activity in heart failure patients treated with cardiac resynchronization therapy devices or implantable cardioverter defibrillators.

Objective: This study elucidated the effects of exercise training on physical activity, 6-min walk distance, and all-cause hospitalization rates in patients with chronic heart failure, and evaluated factors contributing to changes in physical activity.

Design: Prospective cohort observational study.

Patients And Methods: Patients (n =62) who completed an exercise training programme after implantable cardioverter-defibrillator or cardiac resynchronization therapy treatment between May 2017 and May 2018 were included.

Effect of Exercise Training in Heart Failure Patients Without Echocardiographic Response to Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an effective treatment of heart failure (HF) with ventricular dyssynchrony, but not all patients respond to a similar extent. We investigated the efficacy and safety of exercise training (ET) in patients without response to CRT. Thirty-four patients who participated in a 3-month ET program and underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing at baseline and after the program were divided into 17 responders and 17 non-responders based on echocardiographic response criteria: either an increase in ejection fraction (EF) ≥10% or a reduction in left ventricular (LV) end-systolic volume ≥10%.

Cholinesterase levels predict exercise capacity in cardiac recipients early after transplantation.

Purpose: Although cardiac rehabilitation is recommended for patients early after heart transplantation (HTx), adequate exercise effect cannot always be obtained, partly because in patients with chronic heart failure, exercise capacity is reduced due to malnutrition while waiting for HTx. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between exercise capacity and clinical variables, including nutritional indicators, early after HTx.

Patients And Methods: Forty-three HTx recipients were studied.

Predictors of improvements in exercise capacity during cardiac rehabilitation in the recovery phase after coronary artery bypass graft surgery versus acute myocardial infarction.

This study aimed to elucidate the predictors of improvements in exercise capacity during cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in the recovery phase after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) versus acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We studied 152 patients (91 after AMI and 61 after CABG) who participated in a 3-month CR program. All patients underwent a cardiopulmonary exercise test, blood tests, maximal quadriceps isometric strength (QIS) measurement, and bioelectrical impedance body composition measurement at the beginning and end of the 3-month CR program.

Effects of exercise therapy on polymyositis complicated by post-myocarditis cardiomyopathy: A case report.

Background: A 42-year-old woman with chronic polymyositis complicated by post-myocarditis cardiomyopathy underwent supervised and unsupervised exercise therapy with staged increases in intensity.

Methods: Supervised exercise therapy, which included adopted standards for patients with heart failure, was performed for 6 months. After one month, unsupervised exercise therapy was commenced, in the form of 15 min walking, the duration of which was increased to 30 min after 2 months.