title: Effect of high intensity exercise on peak oxygen uptake and endothelial function in long-term heart transplant recipients.
abstract: Coronary allograft vasculopathy is a well-known long-term complication after cardiac transplantation. Endothelial dysfunction is involved and may be prevented by aerobic exercise. The purpose of this study was to examine whether high intensity aerobic exercise improves peak oxygen uptake (VO(2 peak) ) and endothelial function in heart transplant (HT) recipients. Twenty-seven long-term HT recipients were randomized to either 8-weeks high intensity aerobic exercise or no training. Flow mediated dilation of the brachial artery (FMD) was measured by ultrasound and VO(2 peak) by the analysis of expired air. Blood pressure and biomarkers were measured before and after 8 weeks. VO(2 peak) increased significantly in the exercise group (VO(2 peak) 23.9 ± 1.79 to 28.3 ± 1.63 mL/kg/min compared to controls (VO(2 peak) 24.6 ± 1.38 to 23.4 ± 1.58, p < 0.001 exercise vs. control).FMD increased in the exercise group compared to controls (8.3 ± 1.1% to 11.4 ± 1.2% vs. 5.6 ± 1.0% to 5.3 ± 1.7%, p = 0.024). No increase in nitroglycerin-induced vasodilation was observed. Systolic blood pressure fell in the exercise group (142 ±4.2 mmHg to127 ± 3.4 mmHg, p = 0.01) and was unchanged in controls (141 ± 4.2 mmHg to 142 ±6.4 mmHg, NS). High intensity aerobic exercise reduces systolic blood pressure and improves endothelial function in HT recipients.
authors.affiliation: Rigshospitalet, Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. tshermann@dadlnet.dk
authors.forename: T S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Hermann
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Dall
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Goetze
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Prescott
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gustafsson
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D001794:Blood Pressure; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006339:Heart Rate; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D005996:Nitroglycerin / Q000494:pharmacology; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014664:Vasodilation
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D005996:Nitroglycerin