Evaluation of functional capacity and exercise tolerance of cardiac patients.
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The quality of life and the exercise endurance of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are impaired. The aim of our study was to determine the impact of a 3-wk intensive inpatient rehabilitation program on the quality of life of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and to examine the correlation between quality-of-life measures and physiologic measures throughout rehabilitation. Thirty-two patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (20 men, 12 women) were evaluated by spirometry and maximal exercise testing for exercise endurance and by the French version of the Nottingham Health Profile for quality of life. Rehabilitation components were individualized exercise at ventilatory threshold (4 hr/day), health education, and physical therapy and relaxation for 3 wk. Our results showed an improvement in the quality of life (especially in physical mobility, energy, and social isolation) and exercise endurance (increase of 14% of maximal power and symptom-limited oxygen uptake). In contrast, no significant correlations were found between the quality of life and physiologic parameters (gas exchange, cardiovascular and lung function parameters) throughout rehabilitation. Changes in the quality of life seem to be independent of the physiologic results during the course of a short and intensive inpatient rehabilitation program. Quality of life should, therefore, be more systematically evaluated to determine the psychosocial benefits, which, although subjective, are important for encouraging patients' compliance with rehabilitation programs.
The aim of our study was to evaluate cardiovascular function at rest and during exercise in dialysis patients before and after treatment with Epo and to examine the changes in left ventricular mass as the consequence of treatment for anaemia. We applied echocardiography and radionuclide ventriculography at rest and after exercise in our research. Following treatment with Epo there was a decrease in the initially high cardiac output (CO) and cardiac index (CI) from 7.5 to 6.31/min and from 4.3 to 3.61/min/m2 respectively. No changes were noted in mean diastolic (DPB) and mean blood pressure (MBP), as well as the initially increased peripheral resistance index (TPRi) of 2582.3 +/- 2097.3 dyn-s-cm-5.m2. Nevertheless, end-diastolic (EDV) and end-systolic (ESV) volume were significantly decreased (P < 0.05), but the ejection fraction (EF) remained unchanged (73.9%). The decrease in the mean values for left ventricular mass (LVM) was significant only within the subgroup of dialysed patients who initially had larger left ventricular mass (P < 0.01). The functional capacity of the CV system measured during exercise increased from four metabolic equivalents (METs) to 6 METs (P < 0.01). A significant increase in blood volume was also observed following treatment of anaemia. The haemodynamic consequences of Epo therapy for the treatment of anaemia were quite positive. However, we would like to point out certain concerns regarding the dialysed patients with initially lower values for left ventricular mass and cardiac output, since the patients within this group developed left ventricular hypertrophy and an increase in cardiac output.
A 21-year-old woman suffering from increasing dyspnoea on intense physical exercise, was found to have a congenital right-sided arteriovenous pulmonary fistula. This was successfully and without complication embolized using a percutaneously introduced Gianturco wire coil. All symptoms disappeared after this procedure. Definite improvement in physical performance, in comparison with pre-embolization values, was documented by spiroergometry as early as two days later (oxygen uptake 1855 vs. 1459 ml/min; anaerobic threshold 920 vs. 790 ml/min; oxygen-pulse 10.6 vs. 8.0 ml/beat; oxygen partial pressure 77.5 vs. 67.6 mmHg; alveolar arterial oxygen difference 33 vs. 44 mm Hg). Further constant subjective and objective improvement in physical performance was demonstrated 3 months after embolization. This case confirms that embolization of a pulmonary arteriovenous fistula can rapidly achieve lasting improvement in exercise performance.
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BACKGROUND: Beta-blockade usually causes a slight reduction in exercise capacity among healthy subjects, while more variable results have been observed in chronic heart failure (CHF), probably related to patients studied, methods and agent used. The effect of metoprolol controlled release/extended release (CR/XL) on peak oxygen uptake (peak VO(2)) in this patient population has not previously been investigated. AIMS: We examined the effect of long-term treatment with the selective beta(1)-receptor blocker metoprolol CR/XL once daily on exercise capacity in patients with CHF. METHODS: Ninety-four patients (70 males and 24 females; mean age 63.6+/-10.6 years) with chronic symptomatic heart failure in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class II-IV, and with ejection fraction <or=40%, stabilized on optimum standard therapy were randomized to metoprolol CR/XL or placebo in a double-blind trial. Exercise capacity was evaluated by peak VO(2) at baseline, after 3 months and at the end of study (mean follow-up 11.4+/-0.4 months). RESULTS: Compared with placebo metoprolol CR/XL produced a significant decrease in heart rate by 11 beats/min at rest and 18 beats/min at peak exercise. There was a tendency for a temporal decline in peak VO(2) after 3 months of therapy in both groups, but altogether peak VO(2) remained unchanged from baseline with no difference between the groups at 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with moderate to severe CHF, 11.4 months of beta(1)-blockade with metoprolol CR/XL had no effect on exercise capacity when compared with placebo or baseline.
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OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to determine the diagnostic yield and risks of a symptom-limited treadmill exercise test before hospital discharge. BACKGROUND: Currently, predischarge low level and 6-week symptom-limited exercise treadmill tests are recommended for risk stratification after myocardial infarction. However, few data exist on the safety and value of a predischarge symptom-limited exercise test. METHODS: We utilized a modified Bruce protocol starting at 1.7 mph and 0 grade with 3-min stages in 150 consecutive patients 6.4 +/- 3.1 days after myocardial infarction. Each exercise test was interpreted for duration, symptoms and ST segment changes at the low level (70% of predicted heart rate) and symptom-limited end point. RESULTS: There were no complications related to the symptom-limited exercise tests. The test results were positive in only 23% of the patients at the low level end point, but were positive in 40% of the patients at the later symptom-limited end point (p < 0.001). During a mean follow-up period of 15 +/- 5 months in 138 patients (92%), 50 patients (36%) had a cardiac event. Of the patients with a cardiac event, significantly more (p < 0.001) had a positive exercise test at the symptom-limited end point (31 vs. 16 patients). Five patients with a negative and 14 patients with a nondiagnostic symptom-limited exercise test had an event. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with uncomplicated myocardial infarction, we demonstrated the safety of an early symptom-limited treadmill exercise test. Symptom-limited exercise tests will identify more patients with inducible ischemia who are at risk of future cardiac events and who may benefit from early intervention.
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