title: Effect of exercise training in patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Little research exists on exercise performance and training in patients with an implemented cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and only in a limited number of patients. This study aims to investigate the effect of exercise training in ICD patients in comparison to the effects in other cardiac patients without an ICD.
  
  
  RESULTS
  92 ICD patients were compared with a control group of 473 patients. A maximal cycle-spiroergometric test was performed until exhaustion before and after an ambulatory exercise training programme. Exercise training was offered 3 times a week for 3 months. The cut-off heart rate was set at (ICD detection rate -20 beats/min). At baseline, the ICD patients had a lower peak oxygen uptake (VO(2)) compared to the control group. Training effects were smaller for peak VO(2) (mL/min/kg) and oxygen pulse in the ICD group (18 vs. 27%, p = 0.006 and 11 vs. 17%, p = 0.016, respectively). Several appropriate shocks were delivered during (n = 5), and in between (n = 7), testing or training and one inappropriate shock during training.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ICD patients can safely participate in an exercise training programme with favorable results. A randomised control study with evaluation of the physical and the psychosocial effects is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, K.U. Leuven, Belgium. Luc.Vanhees@uz.kuleuven.ac.be
authors.forename: Luc
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vanhees
authors.forename: Marion
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kornaat
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Defoor
authors.forename: Geert
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Aufdemkampe
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schepers
authors.forename: An
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.forename: Henk
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Van Exel
authors.forename: Jeroen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van Den Beld
authors.forename: Hein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Heidbüchel
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fagard
mesh_terms: D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D005080:Exercise Test; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000150:complications; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D012044:Regression Analysis; D017180:Tachycardia, Ventricular / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*