Depressive symptoms, right ventricular function, and muscular strength are associated with peak oxygen uptake in patients with implantable left ventricular assist devices.

Background: Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is among the most effective treatment options for patients with severe heart failure. Although previous studies have examined the factors related to peak oxygen uptake (peak VO ), they were limited by the few patients involved and their focus on medical and physical functions. Therefore, this study comprehensively examined the factors associated with peak VO , which is an important prognostic factor in patients with implantable LVADs.

Disease management using home-based cardiac rehabilitation for patients with heart failure.

Unlabelled: Home-based cardiac rehabilitation (HBCR) is expected to address the low participation rate in cardiac rehabilitation; however, it is not covered by insurance in Japan, and the optimal method for monitoring a patient's condition during exercise has not been determined. Patients hospitalized for heart failure often deteriorate soon after discharge and require appropriate disease monitoring. In this report, we describe cases in which real-time monitoring of exercise intensity, electrocardiography, and video chat during HBCR was useful in the management of heart failure.

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).