A Home-Based Walking Program Improves Respiratory Endurance in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate respiratory muscle strength and endurance in the inpatient period in patients who recently experienced myocardial infarction (MI) and investigate the effects of a home-based walking program on respiratory strength and endurance in low-risk patients after MI.

Methods: Patients were randomized into a usual-care group (UCG) entailing regular care (n = 23) and an intervention group (IG) entailing an outpatient home-based walking program (n = 31). Healthy sex- and age-matched participants served as a control group for respiratory endurance variables.

A home-based walking program improves erectile dysfunction in men with an acute myocardial infarction.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of a home-based walking program on erectile function and the relation between functional capacity and erectile dysfunction (ED) in patients with recent myocardial infarctions. Patients with acute myocardial infarctions deemed to be at low cardiovascular risk were randomized into 2 groups: (1) a home-based walking group (n = 41), instructed to participate in a progressive outdoor walking program, and (2) a control group (n = 45), receiving usual care. Functional capacity was determined by the 6-minute walk test and evaluation of sexual function by the International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire; the 2 tests were performed at hospital discharge and 30 days later.

Early exercise-based rehabilitation improves health-related quality of life and functional capacity after acute myocardial infarction: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of an early cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program on health-related quality of life (HRQL) and functional capacity in patients who recently experienced an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This program was initiated in the inpatient setting and was followed by an unsupervised outpatient intervention.

Methods: After the same inpatient care plan, low-risk patients who experienced an AMI were randomized into 2 groups: (1) a control group (CG) (n = 43) entailing usual care and (2) an intervention group (IG) (n = 45) entailing outpatient (unsupervised) CR primarily centered on a progressive walking program.

Clinical use of the volume-time curve for endotracheal tube cuff management.

Background: Previous investigation showed that the volume-time curve technique could be an alternative for endotracheal tube (ETT) cuff management. However, the clinical impact of the volume-time curve application has not been documented. The purpose of this study was to compare the occurrence and intensity of a sore throat, cough, thoracic pain, and pulmonary function between these 2 techniques for ETT cuff management: volume-time curve technique versus minimal occlusive volume (MOV) technique after coronary artery bypass grafting.