Exercise capacity, physical activity patterns and outcomes six years after cardiac rehabilitation in patients with heart failure.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the short- and long-term effects of an intensive, concentrated rehabilitation programme in patients with chronic heart failure.


METHODS
Randomized controlled trial, with one-month and six-year evaluations.


METHODS
Residential rehabilitation centre in Switzerland.


METHODS
Fifty patients with chronic heart failure, randomized to exercise or control groups.


METHODS
A rehabilitation programme lasting one month, including educational sessions, a low-fat diet, and 2 hours of individually prescribed exercise daily.


METHODS
Exercise test responses, health outcomes and physical activity patterns.


RESULTS
Peak Vo(2) increased 21.4% in the exercise group during the rehabilitation programme (P<0.05), whereas peak Vo(2) did not change among controls. After the six-year follow-up period, peak Vo(2) was only slightly higher than that at baseline in the trained group (7%, NS), while peak Vo(2) among controls was unchanged. During long-term follow-up, 9 and 12 patients died in the exercise and control groups, respectively (P = 0.63). At six years, physical activity patterns tended to be higher in the exercise group; the mean energy expenditure values over the last year were 2,704 +/- 1,970 and 2,085 +/- 1,522 kcal/week during recreational activities for the exercise and control groups, respectively. However, both groups were more active compared to energy expenditure prior to their cardiac event (P<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Six years after participation in a residential rehabilitation programme, patients with chronic heart failure had slightly better outcomes than control subjects, maintained exercise capacity and engaged in activities that exceed the minimal amount recommended by guidelines for cardiovascular health.
Mueller
Lionel
L
Rehabilitation Center, Seewis, Cardiology Divisions, Kantonsspital Chur, Switzerland.
Myers
Jonathan
J
Kottman
Wilhard
W
Oswald
Ulrike
U
Boesch
Claudia
C
Arbrol
Nayana
N
Dubach
Paul
P
D001794:Blood Pressure; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005080:Exercise Test; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D013557:Switzerland; D016896:Treatment Outcome