scholarly journals Exercise Training in Heart Failure Patients With Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: a Practical Approach

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justien Cornelis ◽  
Jonathan Myers ◽  
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◽  

Persistent AF is present in at least 20 % of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and is related to a poor prognosis and more severe cardiac arrhythmias. CHF and AF share a common pathophysiology and can exacerbate one another. Exercise programmes for people with CHF have been shown to improve aerobic capacity, prognosis and quality of life. Given that patients with both CHF and AF show greater impairment in exercise performance, exercise training programmes have the potential to be highly beneficial. Optimal clinical evaluation using a cardiopulmonary exercise test should be performed before starting a training programme. Heart rate should be calculated over a longer period of time In patients with CHF and AF than those in sinus rhythm. The use of telemetry is advised to measure HR accurately during training. If telemetry is not available, patients can be safely trained based on the concomitant workload. An aerobic exercise training programme of moderate to high intensity, whether or not combined with strength training, is advised in patients with CHF and AF. Optimal training modalities and their intensity require further investigation.

2011 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 795-803 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzan van der Meer ◽  
Marlies Zwerink ◽  
Marco van Brussel ◽  
Paul van der Valk ◽  
Elly Wajon ◽  
...  

Background: Advantages of outpatient exercise training are reduced waiting lists, better compliance, reduced time investment by the patient with reduced travel expenses, and less dependence on other people to participate. Therefore, this systematic review studies the effects of outpatient exercise training programmes compared with usual care on exercise capacity, exercise performance, quality of life, and safety in patients with chronic heart failure. Design: Systematic review with meta-analysis. Methods: Randomized controlled trials concerning patients with chronic heart failure, with a left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40%, were included. A meta-analysis was performed. Results: Twenty-two studies were included. VO2max, 6-min walking test, and quality of life showed significant differences in favour of the intervention group of 1.85 ml/kg/min, 47.9 m, and 6.9 points, respectively. In none of the studies, a significant relationship was found between exercise training and adverse events. Conclusion: This meta-analysis illustrates the efficacy and safety of outpatient training programmes for patients with chronic heart failure.


2001 ◽  
Vol 102 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melinda M. PARNELL ◽  
Diane P. HOLST ◽  
David M. KAYE

Systemic arterial compliance (SAC) makes an important contribution to cardiac afterload, and thus is a significant determinant of left ventricular work. Previous studies have suggested that arterial compliance may be reduced in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF), and that SAC is increased after a 4-week exercise training programme in healthy, sedentary individuals. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of an 8-week exercise training programme on arterial mechanical properties, left ventricular performance and quality of life in CHF patients. A total of 21 patients with NYHA class II or III CHF (mean±S.D. age 55±13 years) were randomly allocated to either an 8-week exercise training group or a ‘usual lifestyle’ control group. SAC, as determined non-invasively using applanation tonometry and Doppler aortic velocimetry, increased from 0.57±0.11 to 0.77±0.14 arbitrary compliance units (mean±S.E.M.; P = 0.01) in the exercise group, while no change occurred in the control group. Left ventricular structure and function was assessed by echocardiography, and these parameters were unchanged over the 8-week study period. Exercise training significantly increased exercise capacity, measured by a 6-min walking test (474±27 to 547±34 m; P = 0.008). Quality of life, as assessed using the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Evaluation, demonstrated a decrease in heart failure symptoms from 46±7 to 24±5units (P = 0.01) following the exercise training programme. These data show that exercise training improves SAC in patients with CHF. The accompanying improvement in exercise capacity may be due, in part, to an improvement in arterial function.


2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (11) ◽  
pp. 1299-1305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nigel Sutherland ◽  
Bryn Jones ◽  
Sofia Westcamp Aguero ◽  
Tristan Melchiori ◽  
Karin du Plessis ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundExercise training has been shown to increase exercise capacity in survivors of Fontan surgery. The geographic distribution of the Fontan population has been a barrier to hospital-based exercise training programmes. The objective of this study was to establish whether a home exercise training programme could achieve similar improvements to a hospital programme.MethodsAdolescents with a Fontan circulation aged 12–19 years were prospectively recruited in a hospital or home exercise training programme. Patients underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing and completed the Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory at initial assessment and after completion of an 8-week programme. Both groups performed two 1-hour training sessions per week. Patients in the home training programme had their first session in the hospital, and then progressed independently with one phone consult per week and one home visit by a physiotherapist.ResultsIn total, 17 patients, with a mean age of 15±3 years, completed the training programme (six hospital). Characteristics and baseline performance of patients were similar in both groups. Oxygen consumption at anaerobic threshold increased from 19.3±3.8 to 21.6±6.0 ml/kg/minute (p=0.02) and peak oxygen pulse increased from 8.8±2.5 to 9.5±2.7 ml/beat (p=0.049). Total quality of life scale improved from 68 to 74% (p=0.01) and psychosocial health improved from 67 to 74% (p=0.02). No patient experienced training-related complications.ConclusionsExercise training is beneficial and most likely safe after Fontan, resulting in improved exercise capacity and self-reported quality of life. Home exercise training programmes are probably as effective as hospital programmes. Home exercise training programmes should be integrated in the follow-up care of patients undergoing Fontan surgery.


2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gina G Mentzer ◽  
Alex J Auseon

Heart failure (HF) affects more than 5 million people and has an increasing incidence and cost burden. Patients note symptoms of dyspnea and fatigue that result in a decreased quality of life, which has not drastically improved over the past decades despite advances in therapies. The assessment of exercise capacity can provide information regarding patient diagnosis and prognosis, while doubling as a potential future therapy. clinically, there is acceptance that exercise is safe in hf and can have a positive impact on morbidity and quality of life, although evidence for improvement in mortality is still lacking. specific prescriptions for exercise training have not been developed because many variables and confounding factors have prevented research trials from demonstrating an ideal regimen. Physicians are becoming more aware of the indices and goals for hf patients in exercise testing and therapy to provide comprehensive cardiac care. it is further postulated that a combination of exercise training and pharmacologic therapy may eventually provide the most benefits to those suffering from hf.


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