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Biomedical subjects

K Hauer

Publications and source records attributed to K Hauer.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Problems recognizing pain in geriatrics].

OBJECTIVE: Elderly people often present substantial problems in pain assessment. The aim of the study was to quantify and discuss the problem of recognizing pain in hospitalized geriatric patients. METHODS: 124 geriatric patients and their treating doctors were questioned about pain, pain intensity and influence of pain on daily living in a cross-sectional-study. The score of the Barthel index (activity of daily living, ADL) at admittance and discharge, the cognitive status (monumental status of Folstein, MMS), the use of analgetic drugs and the medical diagnoses were assessed. The answers of the question "Did you/your patient have pain in the past seven days?" from patients and doctors were used to make seven groups. RESULTS: 20 (16,1%) patients could not answer the question about pain. In comparison to the group of patients who were able to answer, they were restricted in ADL and MMS. However, the answers of doctors about pain did not differ. 25 (20,3%) answers of treating doctors were wrong compared to the answers of the patients. In these cases, intensity and influence of pain on daily living were estimated low by the patients. In 14 (11,3%) patients, doctors could not state about pain. These patients were least restricted in ADL at admission and discharge. Altogether, the pain of 13/46 (28,3%) patients was treated insufficiently at the day of the interview. CONCLUSIONS: In half of the geriatric patients, pain was not well or not at all recognized by the treating doctors. Pain of not communicative patients was assessed similarly by the doctor as that of patients who were able to give information. In this geriatric hospital, little support at admittance and a superior improvement in the activities of daily living during the in-hospital treatment lead to less attention to pain by the doctor. The importance of pain therapy in geriatrics is illustrated by the fact that almost every third patient with pain is treated insufficiently at the day of the interview.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Plasma cystine concentration and redox state in aging and physical exercise.

Because redox-regulated signalling pathways are often modulated by the thiol/disulfide redox state (REDST), changes in plasma REDST may possibly account for pathological processes. We, therefore, investigated the mechanisms that account for changes in the plasma REDST as derived in first approximation from the cystine and acid soluble thiol (mainly cysteine) concentrations. Elderly subjects (studies A) and younger subjects after intensive physical exercise (IPE) (study B) i.e. subjects in conditions typically associated with decreased insulin responsiveness, showed, on the average, an increase in the plasma total free amino acid (TAA) concentration to approximately 3000 microM, including an increase in cystine but no increase in the thiol concentration if compared with controls. The REDST was decreased accordingly. A study on the postabsorptive amino acid exchange rates across the lower extremities (study C) indicated that a TAA level > or =2800 microM supports a balanced net protein synthesis even under conditions of weak insulin stimulation, suggesting that high TAA levels may prevent the release of cysteine into the blood in the postabsorptive state. Collectively, these studies indicate that the age-related oxidative shift in plasma REDST may result from the decrease in amino acid clearance capacity and may be aggravated by excessive physical exercise.

Adult↗

[Recognizing pain in geriatric patients by an interdisciplinary team. Reliability of judgment and factors of influence].

The prevalence of chronic pain increases with age. The awareness of pain in geriatric patients is more difficult than in younger people because of various reasons. The occupational groups of the geriatric team might be different in respect of discerning symptoms of pain. 126 geriatric patients were enrolled in this study. They were asked if they had pain today and in the last seven days. At the same time the members of the geriatric team (old people's nurses, nurses, physicians, physio-, occupational and speech therapists) were asked the same questions with respect of their patients. Items possible influencing the answers were recorded: patient's characteristics: age, cognition (Folstein's minimental state) and duration of hospital stay before this interview; employee's characteristics: age, days of care in the past 7 days, weekly working hours, occupational years and years working in this geriatric hospital. The judgement of the geriatric team varied widely. It was dependent on the profession, days of care, weekly working hours and professional experience. Changes of care in the last 7 days have an negative effect in all occupational groups. Other features will be discussed in details. The handing of the patient's pain should be improved within the occupational groups.

Aged↗

Exercise training for rehabilitation and secondary prevention of falls in geriatric patients with a history of injurious falls.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the safety and efficacy of an exercise protocol designed to improve strength, mobility, and balance and to reduce subsequent falls in geriatric patients with a history of injurious falls. DESIGN: A randomized controlled 3-month intervention trial, with an additional 3-month follow-up. SETTING: Out-patient geriatric rehabilitation unit. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-seven female geriatric patients (mean age 82 +/- 4.8 years; range 75-90) admitted to acute care or inpatient rehabilitation with a history of recurrent or injurious falls including patients with acute fall-related fracture. INTERVENTION: Ambulatory training of strength, functional performance, and balance 3 times per week for 3 months. Patients of the control group attended a placebo group 3 times a week for 3 months. Both groups received an identical physiotherapeutic treatment 2 times a week, in which strengthening and balance training were excluded. MEASUREMENTS: Strength, functional ability, motor function, psychological parameters, and fall rates were assessed by standardized protocols at the beginning (T1) and the end (T2) of intervention. Patients were followed up for 3 months after the intervention (T3). RESULTS: No training-related medical problems occurred in the study group. Forty-five patients (79%) completed all assessments after the intervention and follow-up period. Adherence was excellent in both groups (intervention 85.4 +/- 27.8% vs control 84.2 +/- 29.3%). The patients in the intervention group increased strength, functional motor performance, and balance significantly. Fall-related behavioral and emotional restrictions were reduced significantly. Improvements persisted during the 3-month follow-up with only moderate losses. For patients of the control group, no change in strength, functional performance, or emotional status could be documented during intervention and follow-up. Fall incidence was reduced nonsignificantly by 25% in the intervention group compared with the control group (RR:0.753 CI:0.455-1.245). CONCLUSIONS: Progressive resistance training and progressive functional training are safe and effective methods of increasing strength and functional performance and reducing fall-related behavioral and emotional restrictions during ambulant rehabilitation in frail, high-risk geriatric patients with a history of injurious falls.

Accidental Falls↗

Myocardial ischemia during physical exercise in patients with stable coronary artery disease: predictability and prevention.

AIMS: We assessed whether exercise-induced myocardial ischemia during intensive group exercise sessions can be predicted in patients with coronary artery disease and stable angina pectoris. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-three patients underwent cardiac catheterization, 201-thallium scintigraphy, and exercise testing prior to participation in group training sessions. Heart rates and myocardial ischemia were documented by Holter monitoring. The individual training heart rate was calculated as a percentage of the maximal heart rate achieved during symptom-limited exercise testing. Myocardial ischemia occurred significantly more often during group exercise sessions (15 of 23 patients) than during treadmill testing (4 of 23 patients, P<0.001). Maximal heart rate (145+/-23 vs. 134+/-21 beats/min, P<0.004) and maximal plasma lactate concentrations (6.0+/-2.9 vs. 4.3+/-2.0 mmol/l, P<0.05) were significantly higher than during symptom-limited exercise testing. Ischemic episodes occurred significantly more often during jogging than during competitive ball games or interval training. Myocardial ischemia occurred in patients who exceeded their individual target training heart rates (43 of 44 episodes; P<0.001). Duration of ischemic episodes did not correlate with any marker obtained at the beginning of the study. CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate that routine diagnostic procedures do not sufficiently identify patients at risk for exercise-induced myocardial ischemia. Ischemic events are only effectively prevented by choosing adequate types of exercise and, above all, by the strict adherence to individual target heart rates.

Coronary Angiography↗

Activation of coagulation and fibrinolysis after rehabilitative exercise in patients with coronary artery disease.

It has been suggested that blood coagulation be activated and fibrinolytic activity be impaired in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). With regard to the activation of coagulation and fibrinolysis occurring during exercise in healthy individuals, we examined the hypothesis that rehabilitative exercise in patients with CAD might give rise to an exaggerated activation of coagulation. In 12 patients with angiographically documented CAD without myocardial infarction within the preceding 6 months (male, age 55+/-9 years [SD]) and in 12 healthy controls (male, 52+/-7 years), molecular markers of thrombin, fibrin, and plasmin formation were determined before and after a rehabilitative group exercise session lasting 1 hour. Resting levels of prothrombin fragment 1+2 were lower in patients with CAD (0.67+/-0.2 [SE] vs 1.04+/-0.2 nmol/L, p <0.001) and remained unchanged after exercise, whereas a significant increase was noted in controls (p <0.01). After exercise, plasma levels of thrombin-antithrombin III complexes and of fibrinopeptide A increased significantly in both groups, although there were more pronounced changes in controls. Exercise resulted in a marked generation of plasmin as indicated by plasmin-alpha2-antiplasmin complexes increasing 2.5-fold in patients (p <0.001) and threefold in controls (p <0.001). Repeated experiments in control subjects after administration of aspirin (day 1: 500 mg; days 2 to 5: 100 mg) documented that differences between groups could not be attributed to aspirin medication (100 mg/day) in patients with CAD. We concluded that rehabilitative exercise in patients with CAD beyond the immediate postinfarction period has no detrimental effects on thrombin, fibrin, and plasmin formation.

Adult↗

Functional impact of an increase in ventricular mass after myocardial damage and its attenuation by converting enzyme inhibition.

BACKGROUND: A increase in left ventricular mass after ventricular damage has been identified as an initial response to injury. However, the functional significance of this response has not been clearly established and is the focus of this study. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twelve mongrel dogs underwent transmyocardial direct current shock to produce transmural left ventricular damage. Six were assigned to converting enzyme inhibitor therapy initiated 24 hours after damage and continued for 4 weeks. The remaining six dogs served as a control group. Left ventricular structure (mass and end diastolic volume) and systolic function (regional and global ejection fraction at rest and during afterload stress) were assessed by magnetic resonance imaging before damage and at the end of the 4-week period. After myocardial damage, left ventricular mass increased from 93.6 +/- 4.0 to 107.5 +/- 3.4 gm in the control group (P < .01) with no change in ventricular volume. Ramipril-treated dogs displayed a reduction in mass (83.2 +/- 2.2 to 74.6 +/- 2.9 gm, P < .05). In the control group, there was greater reduction in global ejection fraction in response to afterload stress at 4 weeks compared with baseline (-16 +/- 4 vs -4 +/- 3%, P = .03). Ejection fraction response to afterload stress was maintained at 4 weeks in the converting enzyme inhibitor-treated group (-5 +/- 3 vs - 1 +/- 4%) and was different at 4 weeks from the control group (-1 +/- 4 vs -16 +/- 4%, P = .004). CONCLUSION: The increase in left ventricular mass noted after direct current shock was associated with the impairment of systolic function during afterload stress. Inhibition of this mass increase results in preservation of function, thus further supporting the concept that attenuation of ventricular remodeling should be a therapeutic goal.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗

Attenuated progression of coronary artery disease after 6 years of multifactorial risk intervention: role of physical exercise.

BACKGROUND: It was the aim of this study to assess the long-term effects of physical exercise and low-fat diet on the progression of coronary artery disease. At the beginning of the study, 113 male patients with coronary artery disease were randomized to an intervention group (n=56) or a control group (n=57); 90 patients (80%) could be reevaluated after 6 years. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients in the intervention group (n=40) showed a reduction in total serum cholesterol (6.03+/-1.03 versus 5.67+/-1.01 mmol/L; P<.03) and triglyceride levels (1.94+/-0.8 versus 1.6+/-0.89 mmol/L; P<.005) and maintained their initial body mass index (26+/-2 versus 27+/-2 kg/m2; P=NS), but results were not statistically different from the control group (n=50) (total serum cholesterol, 6.05+/-1.02 versus 5.79+/-0.88 mmol/L; triglycerides, 2.25+/-1.28 versus 1.85+/-0.96 mmol/L [both P=NS]; body mass index, 26+/-2 versus 28+/-3 kg/m2 [P<.0001]). In the intervention group, there was a significant 28% increase in physical work capacity (166+/-59 versus 212+/-89 W; P<.001), whereas values remained essentially unchanged in the control group (165+/-51 versus 170+/-60 W; P=NS; between groups, P<.05). In the intervention group, coronary stenoses progressed at a significantly slower rate than in the control group (P<.0001). Energy expenditure during exercise was assessed in a subgroup; patients with regression of coronary stenoses spent an average of 1784+/-384 kcal/wk (approximately 4 hours of moderate aerobic exercise per week). Multivariate regression analysis identified only physical work capacity as independently contributing to angiographic changes. CONCLUSIONS: After 6 years of multifactorial risk intervention, there is significant and persistent improvement in lipoprotein levels and physical work capacity, which results in a significant retardation of disease progression. These beneficial effects appear to be largely due to chronic physical exercise.

Adult↗

Effect of delayed intervention with ACE-inhibitor therapy on myocyte hypertrophy and growth of the cardiac interstitium in the rat model of myocardial infarction.

The effectiveness of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitor therapy in attenuating ventricular remodeling when initiated immediately following myocardial damage is clearly established. Less information, however, is available on the impact of late therapy on the remodeling process, especially its influence on the cellular components of these structural changes. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of converting enzyme inhibitor therapy commenced 28 days following infarction in the rat on changes in cardiac myocyte dimension and the interstitium. At 28 days following infarction, myocyte cell length (153.9+/-7.3 v 131.1+/-5.9 micron, P=0.0002) and cell volume in the free wall of the left ventricle (38. 5+/-5.0 x 10(3) v31.4+/-3.1 x 10(3), P=0.009) had increased compared with sham-operated rats. Similar changes were noted in the septum and right ventricle. Captopril therapy administered between 28 and 56 days attenuated a further increase in cell length noted in an untreated group in the left ventricle (153.5+/-15.3 v 167.3+/-13.7 micron, P=0.02), right ventricle (153.8+/-20.5 v 173.8+/-2.3 micron, P=0.01) and septum (158.0+/-20.2 v 179.1+/-16.6 micron, P=0.004). There was an increase in hydroxyproline content in the right ventricle and a similar trend in the left ventricle in the untreated myocardial infarction groups. These changes were not altered by captopril therapy. In summary, even late therapy with captopril attenuates progressive myocyte remodeling, which may contribute to the ability of ACE-inhibitor therapy to slow progressive chamber enlargement following infarction.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗

The effect of delayed reperfusion following infarction in the rat on structural changes in viable myocardium.

OBJECTIVE: Evidence indicates that patency of the infarct related artery following the completion of myocardial necrosis can attenuate ventricular remodeling. Data have also demonstrated that inhibition of infarct expansion contributes to the anti-remodeling effect of delayed reperfusion. However, the influence of a patent artery on components of the remodeling process in the viable myocardium is poorly understood. METHODS: Myocyte morphometrics (isolated cell technique) and collagen content (hydroxyproline analysis) were assessed 28 days following experimental myocardial infarction from rats with permanently ligated left coronary vessels (NRP; n = 10) compared with rats who underwent reperfusion 150 minutes after ligation (RP; n = 11) and a sham-operated group (n = 10). RESULTS: Analysis of infarct size (planimetry) in a separate group of rats demonstrated that reperfusion at this late time point did not reduce infarct size (NRP: 33 +/- 3 vs. RP: 35 +/- 5%). Myocyte length in RP rats was less than in NRP rats in viable, non-infarcted left ventricular tissue (155 +/- 3 vs. 167 +/- 4 microns, p = 0.02), in the right ventricle (154 +/- 4 vs. 167 +/- 3 microns, p = 0.02) and in the septum (158 +/- 4 vs. 169 +/- 4 microns, p = 0.05). Reperfusion also attenuated the expected increase in cell volume compared with NRP rats (left ventricle 39.4 +/- 1.7 x 10(3) vs. 44.1 +/- 1.6 x 10(3) micron 3, p = 0.06; right ventricle 36.7 +/- 1.6 x 10(3) vs. 42.7 +/- 2.0 x 10(3) micron 3, p = 0.02; septum 41.0 +/- 1.6 x 10(3) vs. 44.2 +/- 1.8 x 10(3) micron 3, p = 0.19). Hydroxyproline content increased in the viable left ventricular tissue in both the reperfused and non-reperfused groups. CONCLUSION: Reperfusion without myocardial salvage attenuates the increase in myocyte length and volume that occurs in remodeling myocardium following infarction in the rat, with no effect on the increase in collagen content. These data indicate that patency of the infarct vessel, which is known to have an inhibitory effect on infarct expansion, also has an anti-remodeling effect remote from the area perfused by this artery.

Animals↗

Predictive value of lipid profile for salutary coronary angiographic changes in patients on a low-fat diet and physical exercise program.

In this study, 113 patients with modestly elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (<210 mg/dl) and coronary artery disease were randomized to an intervention group (n=56) or a control group (n=57). The intervention program consisted of daily exercise and a low-fat diet according to the American Heart Association's recommendation phase III; patients in the control group received "usual care" rendered by their private physician. After 1 year, complete data were available for all 92 patients (intervention: n=40; control: n=52) who underwent repeat coronary angiography. During the study course, patients in the intervention group showed an increase in apolipoprotein A-I(123 +/- 18 vs 129 +/- 20 mg/dl; p < 0.02) and apolipoprotein A-I/B (1.3 +/- 0.4 vs 1.5 +/- 0.4; p <0.01) and a decrease in apolipoprotein B (99 +/- 20 vs 89 +/- 18 mg/dl; p < 0.01), while apolipoprotein A-II remained unchanged (38 +/- 6 vs 38 +/- 6 mg/dl; p=NS). In the control group, there were no significant changes (apolipoprotein A-I, 124 +/- 17 vs 128 +/- 13 mg/dl; apolipoprotein A-II, 38 +/- 6 vs 39 +/- 6 mg/dl; apolipoprotein B, 100 +/- 21 vs 99 +/- 16 mg/dl; apolipoprotein A-I/B, 1.3 +/- 0.3 vs 1.4 +/- 0.5; all p=NS). As previously reported, there was a significant retardation of progression in patients in the intervention group (progression 23%, no change 45%, regression 32%) compared with the control group (progression 48%, no change 35%, regression 17%) (p < 0.05). Although retardation of progression was significantly associated with an increase in apolipoprotein A-I/B and a decrease in apolipoprotein B (p < 0.05), these gave way in multivariate analysis to changes in total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, absolute levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and, in a subgroup of patients, to leisure-time physical activity (all p < 0.05). These data demonstrate that an intervention based on a low-fat diet and intensive physical exercise is capable of improving apolipoprotein levels, associated with retardation of progression of coronary artery disease. However, total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol appear superior to apolipoproteins as metabolic markers for effective treatment in patients with coronary artery disease.

Adult↗

Impact of intensive physical exercise and low-fat diet on collateral vessel formation in stable angina pectoris and angiographically confirmed coronary artery disease.

This randomized study was performed to assess the effects of > 3 hours of physical exercise per week and low-fat diet on collateral formation in nonselected patients with coronary artery disease (intervention group, n = 56). Results were compared with those of patients in a control group (n = 57), who received usual care by their private physicians. Coronary lesions were assessed by quantitative coronary angiography at the beginning and after 1 year of study (n = 92). As previously reported, after 1 year there was a significant retardation of progression of coronary artery disease in the intervention group as compared with the control group. In this study, evaluation of collateral formation revealed no significant difference between both groups, and changes in hemodynamic and metabolic variables or leisure time physical activity were not related to changes in collateral formation. Although progression of the disease was significantly related to an increase in collateral formation, regression was significantly related to a decrease in collateral formation (p < 0.00001). Because patients in the intervention group exercised for > 3 hours/week, and patients with regression of coronary artery disease even dedicated 5 to 6 hours to leisure time physical activity per week, these findings question whether an exercise program within the safety tolerance of patients will be able to induce coronary collateralization in the presence of regression of coronary artery disease.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Bradykinin antagonism inhibits the antigrowth effect of converting enzyme inhibition in the dog myocardium after discrete transmural myocardial necrosis.

BACKGROUND: Converting enzyme inhibitor (CEI) therapy, but not angiotensin II subtype I receptor blockade, has been shown to attenuate left ventricular remodeling in the dog after transmyocardial direct current (DC) shock. The purpose of this study was to address the importance of preservation of bradykinin to the antiremodeling effect of CEI treatment in this model. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-four hours after DC shock, adult mongrel dogs were assigned to one of three groups: a control group; a group treated with ramipril 10 mg BID; and a group treated with ramipril 10 mg BID along with a continuous subcutaneous infusion of HOE 140, a bradykinin antagonist. To assess change in left and right ventricular structure, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study was performed 4 weeks after DC shock and compared with a baseline MRI study performed before DC shock. The increase in left ventricular mass (mean +/- SEM) in the control group was similar to that observed in the CEI-HOE 140 group (+0.73 +/- 0.19 versus +0.75 +/- 0.18 g/kg, P = NS), but both were greater than the change in mass in the ramipril group (-0.48 +/- 0.13 g/kg, P = .004 and P = .0005, respectively). No significant change occurred in left ventricular volume or right ventricular structure in any group. Mean arterial pressure was reduced by ramipril compared with the control group (-8 +/- 2 versus +7 +/- 2 mm Hg, P = .03), and this effect was not blunted by the addition of HOE 140 (-7 +/- 3 mm Hg). CONCLUSIONS: Prevention by ramipril of the early increase in left ventricular mass in the DC shock model appears to be related to the preservation of bradykinin.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗

Physical training in patients with stable chronic heart failure: effects on cardiorespiratory fitness and ultrastructural abnormalities of leg muscles.

OBJECTIVES: The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of an ambulatory training program on ultrastructural morphology and the oxidative capacity of skeletal muscle and its relation to central and peripheral hemodynamic variables in patients with chronic heart failure. BACKGROUND: Clinical evidence supports the hypothesis that exercise intolerance in patients with chronic heart failure is not only a consequence of low cardiac output, but is also a result of alterations in oxidative metabolism of skeletal muscle. METHODS: Twenty-two patients were prospectively randomized either to a training group (mean [+/-SD] ejection fraction 26 +/- 9%, n = 12) participating in an ambulatory training program or to a physically inactive control group (ejection fraction 27 +/- 10%, n = 10). At baseline and after 6 months, patients underwent symptom-limited bicycle exercise testing, and central and peripheral hemodynamic variables were measured. Percutaneous needle biopsy samples of the vastus lateralis muscle were obtained at baseline and after 6 months. The ultrastructure of skeletal muscle was analyzed by ultrastructural morphometry. RESULTS: After 6 months, patients in the training group achieved an increase in oxygen uptake at the ventilatory threshold of 23% (from 0.86 +/- 0.2 to 1.07 +/- 0.2 liters/min, p < 0.01 vs. control group) and at peak exercise of 31% (from 1.49 +/- 0.4 to 1.95 +/- 0.4 liters/min, p < 0.01 vs. control group). There was no significant change in oxygen uptake at the ventilatory threshold and at peak exercise in the control group. The total volume density of mitochondria and volume density of cytochrome c oxidase-positive mitochondria increased significantly by 19% (from 4.7 +/- 1.5 to 5.6 +/- 1.5 vol%, p < 0.05 vs. control group) and by 41% (from 2.2 +/- 1.0 to 3.1 +/- 1.0 vol%, p < 0.05 vs. control group) after 6 months of regular physical exercise. Cardiac output at rest and at submaximal exercise remained unchanged but increased during maximal symptom-limited exercise from 11.9 +/- 4.0 to 14.1 +/- 3.3 liters/min in the training group (p < 0.05 vs. baseline; p = NS vs. control group). Peak leg oxygen consumption increased significantly by 45% (from 510 +/- 172 to 740 +/- 254 ml/min, p < 0.01 vs. control group). Changes in cytochrome c oxidase-positive mitochondria were significantly related to changes in oxygen uptake at the ventilatory threshold (r = 0.82, p < 0.0001) and at peak exercise (r = 0.87, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Regular physical training increases maximal exercise tolerance and delays anaerobic metabolism during submaximal exercise in patients with stable chronic heart failure. Improved functional capacity is closely linked to an exercise-induced increase in the oxidative capacity of skeletal muscle.

Biopsy↗

Treatment of coronary heart disease by diet and exercise.

Management of risk factors by diet and exercise in patients with coronary heart disease in two controlled studies, resulted in significant modification of atherogenic lipoproteins, myocardial perfusion, and physical work capacity. Moreover, within 1 year there were significantly more regression and less progression of coronary atherosclerosis in the study group compared to usual care control patients. Follow-up for 6 years showed erosion of dietary discipline, unfavorable changes in lipoprotein levels, and subsequent progression of coronary lesions in many patients. It is concluded that the course of coronary heart disease can be favorably modified by intensive dietary counseling and supervised exercise, but that maintenance of positive results remain a challenge for physicians and patients alike.

Arteriosclerosis↗