Patient blood management in elective bypass cardiac surgery: A 2-step single-centre interventional trial to analyse the impact of an educational programme and erythropoiesis stimulation on red blood cell transfusion.

Unlabelled: Anaemia and iron deficiency are frequent in patients scheduled for cardiac surgery. Perioperative patient blood management (PBM) is widely recommended in current practice guidelines. The aim of this protocol is to analyse the effect of a global perioperative PBM programme on the red blood cell (RBC) transfusion ratio, morbidities and rehabilitation score in elective cardiac surgery.

Observations on changes in ventricular repolarization following four weeks of exercise training in chronic heart failure patients.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of exercise training on ventricular repolarization dynamicity and heart rate variability in chronic heart failure patients.

Design: A total of 22 chronic heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction in sinus rhythm were included in the study. The patients were in NYHA classes II-III with an ejection fraction of 29.

Short-term effects of a 3-week interval training program on heart rate variability in chronic heart failure. A randomised controlled trial.

Background: Exaggerated sympathetic nervous system activity associated with low heart rate variability (HRV) is considered to trigger cardiac arrhythmias and sudden death. Regular exercise training is efficient to improve autonomic balance.

Objective: We aimed to verify the superiority of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to enhance HRV, cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiac function as compared with moderate intensity continuous training (MICT) in a short, intense cardiac rehabilitation program.

Preventive fraction of physical fitness on risk factors in cardiac patients: Retrospective epidemiological study.

Aim: To quantify the preventive fraction of physical fitness on the risk factors in patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).

Methods: A total of 249 subjects (205 men and 44 women) suffering from CVD were categorized into four groups, according to their percentage of physical fitness. We calculated the odds ratio to obtain the preventive fraction in order to evaluate the impact of the physical fitness level on the risk factors (.

[Cardiac rehabilitation: physiologic basis, beneficial effects and contraindications].

Cardiac rehabilitation can reduce morbidity and mortality cost-effectively among patients with many types of cardiovascular disease yet is widely underutilized. Rehabilitation is helpful not only for patients who have had myocardial infarction but also for those with stable angina or congestive heart failure and those who have undergone myocardial revascularization, transplantation, or valve surgery. The beneficial effects of rehabilitation include a reduction in mortality from cardiovascular disease, improved exercise tolerance, and fewer cardiac symptoms.

Improved Walking Claudication Distance with Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation: An Old Treatment with a New Indication in Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether 45 mins of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation before exercise could delay pain onset and increase walking distance in peripheral artery disease patients.

Design: After a baseline assessment of the walking velocity that led to pain after 300 m, 15 peripheral artery disease patients underwent four exercise sessions in a random order. The patients had a 45-min transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation session with different experimental conditions: 80 Hz, 10 Hz, sham (presence of electrodes without stimulation), or control with no electrodes, immediately followed by five walking bouts on a treadmill until pain occurred.

Whole-body strength training using a Huber Motion Lab in coronary heart disease patients: safety, tolerance, fuel selection, and energy expenditure aspects and optimization.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate safety, tolerance, relative exercise intensity, and muscle substrate oxidation during sessions performed on a Huber Motion Lab in coronary heart disease patients.

Design: After an assessment of Vo2 peak, 20 coronary heart disease patients participated in two different exercises performed in random order at 40% and 70% (W40 and W70) of the maximal isometric voluntary contraction.

Results: No significant arrhythmia or abnormal blood pressure responses occurred during either session, and no muscle soreness was reported within 48 hrs posttest.

High-intensity interval exercise improves vagal tone and decreases arrhythmias in chronic heart failure.

Purpose: Autonomic dysfunction including sympathetic activation and vagal withdrawal has been reported in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). We tested the hypotheses that high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) in CHF patients would enhance vagal modulation and thus decrease arrhythmic events.

Methods: Eighteen CHF patients underwent a baseline assessment (CON) and were then randomized to a single session of HIIE and to an isocaloric moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE).

Telephone support oriented by accelerometric measurements enhances adherence to physical activity recommendations in noncompliant patients after a cardiac rehabilitation program.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of a strategy, based on telephone support oriented by accelerometer measurements, on the adherence to physical activity (PA) recommendations in cardiac patients not achieving PA recommendations.

Design: Prospective and randomized study.

Setting: A cardiac rehabilitation program (CRP) at a clinic.

Validity of a questionnaire to assess the physical activity level in coronary artery disease patients.

The aim of the study is to compare, in coronary artery disease patients, physical activity (PA) assessed with the Dijon Physical Activity Questionnaire (DPAQ) and the true PA objectively measured using an accelerometer. Seventy patients wore an accelerometer (MyWellness Key actimeter) throughout 1 week after a cardiac rehabilitation program that included therapeutic education about regular PA. Patients completed the DPAQ at the end of the week.

Effects of short-term exercise and exercise training on cognitive function among patients with cardiac disease.

Purpose: A number of studies have investigated the effect of physical activity on cognitive performance in healthy subjects although no consensus in results has been established. In patients with cardiac disease that has been associated with cognitive impairment, research regarding improvement in cognition function assumes a clinical interest. We assessed the effect of both acute exercise and aerobic training on cognitive function in patients with coronary artery disease and heart failure who participated in cardiac rehabilitation (CR).

[Influence of depression on the prognosis of cardiovascular diseases].

Coronary artery disease, heart failure and depression are all highly prevalent after 60 years of age. They significantly affect quality of life and represent a major economic burden for society. Some epidemiological and observational studies suggest that depression is an independent risk factor for the onset and progression of ischemic heart disease and heart failure.

QT dynamicity: a prognostic factor for sudden cardiac death in chronic heart failure.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine whether impaired adaptation of the QT interval to changes in heart rate predicts sudden death in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).

Methods: We prospectively included 175 CHF patients in sinus rhythm. QT dynamicity was evaluated by analyzing 24-h Holter recordings.