Does a 36-session cardiac rehabilitation program improve cardiac strain and torsional mechanics in patients with ischemic heart disease?
A 36-session cardiac rehabilitation program improves left and right ventricular strain and torsional mechanics in patients with ischemic heart disease.
BACKGROUND: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) and mechanics are individually associated with cardiovascular outcomes in ischemic heart disease (IHD); however, their interaction remains less defined. We hypothesized that a 36-session CR program improves cardiac strain and torsional mechanics in IHD patients. METHODS: Ninety IHD patients on guideline-directed medical therapy with complete revascularization were prospectively enrolled, of which 27 electively completed a 36-session standardized exercise CR program. Speckle-tracking echocardiography was utilized to assess left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS) and peak twist, and right ventricular free wall strain (RVFWS) at baseline and after program completion. Participants were propensity-scoring matched 1:1 with 27 patients who declined participation (No-CR). RESULTS: = 0.044) in CR participants. CONCLUSIONS: CR in patients with IHD improved LV GLS and, compared with No-CR, conferred better LV twist and RVFWS.
Wessly et al. (Sat,) studied this question.