Effects of Cardiac Rehabilitation in Patients with Myocardial Infarction

Background:Since the 1980s, early ambulation and cardiac rehabilitation have been emphasized in clinical practice after myocardial infarction. This is based on the belief that cardiac rehabilitation can reduce cardiovascular mortality, improve functional capacity and reduce the risk of further coronary events. In this study, we investigate the effect of aerobic exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation on functional capacity and cardiopulmonary responses in patients with myocardial infarction. Methods:19 patients were divided into two groups(9 patients for training group and 10 patients for control group at 4- 6 weeks after acute myocardial infarction. Training group performed aerobic exercise for 8 weeks(3 sessions per week, mean 53mins per session at 40-60% of heart rate(HR reserve, while control group did not. Before and after 8 weeks, all patients performed symptom- limited exercise test using modified Bruce protocol. Also, breath by breath respiratory gas analysis was carried out throughout exercise test. Results:For body composition, body weight(-2.7%, p<0.001, body mass index(-2.5%, p<0.001 and %body fat(-2.6%, p<0.05 were decreased significantly in training group after 8 week cardiac rehabilitation. Resting HR(-13%, p<0.05 was reduced significantly in training group, but no sig- nificant change occurred in resting blood pressure between the two groups. Maximal oxygen uptake(18%, p<0.01 and anaerobic threshold(21%, p<0.05 were increased significantly in training group after 8 week cardiac rehabilitation as compared with the control group. There was no significant change in maximal O2pulse between the two groups. Submaximal rate-pressure product(-17%,