Myocardial infarction size and scar dimensions: the influence of activity.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine myocardial infarct size and scar dimensions in experimentally infarcted rats that were randomly assigned to a moderate, mild, or no exercise condition after infarction.


METHODS
Pretest-posttest control group design (experimental).


METHODS
57 male Harlan Sprague Dawley rats between 62 to 64 days of age and weighing 220 to 290 gm at the onset of the study.


METHODS
Infarction size, scar thickness, thinnest portion of scar.


METHODS
Mild exercise versus moderate exercise versus no exercise.


RESULTS
No differences were found in infarct size, scar thickness, or thinnest portion of scar among the three groups.


CONCLUSIONS
This study establishes that treadmill exercise, begun after an appropriate period of recovery, does not necessarily increase infarct size or scar thinning in the rat model. Further, animal and human studies are needed to fully explore the benefits and hazards of cardiac rehabilitation or exercise testing before or soon after discharge.
Smith
B A
BA
College of Nursing, The Ohio State University, Columbus 43210.
Hamlin
R L
RL
Bartels
R L
RL
Evans
R G
RG
Kirby
T E
TE
MacVicar
M G
MG
Weisbrode
S E
SE
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D002423:Cause of Death; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004597:Electroshock; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000592:standards; D008297:Male; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D009929:Organ Size; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D015996:Survival Rate