title: Physical rehabilitation in coronary patients who have suffered from episodes of cardiac failure.
abstract: The effects of bicycle training for 5 weeks were evaluated in 12 patients after myocardial infarction with left ventricular dysfunction (left ventricular ejection fraction < 40%) and at least one episode of cardiac failure in the past. The patients were divided into two groups of six according to the Weber classification: Group B (VO2/kg/min: 16-20) and Group C (VO2/kg/min: 10-15). Cardiopulmonary and hemodynamic parameters were evaluated during a maximal exercise test and a simultaneous catheterization of the right side of the heart before and after the training. An increase in the capacity for work was recorded in Group B (p < 0.02), while Group C remained unchanged. A statistically significant increase in minute ventilation (p < 0.05) and VO2/kg/min (p < 0.0006) was recorded in Group B. Group C showed an increase in the mean pulmonary arterial pressure (p < 0.03). All of the other parameters remained unchanged after training. We conclude that physical rehabilitation improves the tolerance to exercise in patients with a mildly depressed cardiac function (Group B) but not in patients with a very depressed cardiac function (Group C).
authors.affiliation: Fondazione Clinica del Lavoro, Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Gussago, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Scalvini
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marangoni
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Volterrani
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schena
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Quadri
authors.forename: G F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Levi
mesh_terms: D002302:Cardiac Output / Q000502:physiology; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000502:physiology; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen