Comparison of changes on left atrial function obtained after two regimes of combined exercise in patients with coronary heart disease

Introduction Left atrial function is impaired in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and reflects a rising left ventricular diastolic pressure. The effects of exercise training on atrial function are poorly understood. Aim investigating the effects of two regimes of combined exercise training (CT) program on left atrial function in patients with CHD. Methods The study included 45 stable patients, who were randomly assigned to three groups: fifteen pts were assigned to a supervised CT with low frequency (two session/week) (CTLF); fifteen to supervised CT with high frequency (three session/week) (CTHF); a third group was asked to follow contemporary exercise preventive guidelines at home (control). The CT lasted 12-weeks. Before and after training, all patients performed a symptoms-limited exercise test and an echocardiography. The training included aerobic continuous at moderate intensity, and resistance exercise performed at 60% of 1 repetition maximum. Results At 12-weeks, exercise duration at ergometric test presented a significant greater increase in the CTLF and CTHF groups compared to control (p 0.002). Peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS) and conduit phase presented a significant increase in the CTHF and were unchanged in CTLF and control (p 0.008). Peak atrial contraction strain (PACS) presented a greater increase in CTHF than control. Left ventricular global longitudinal strain, increased significantly in both CTHF and CTLF compared to control (p 0.004). No side effects were observed. Conclusions A regimen of CT at high frequency was more effective than low frequency in improving atrial function in CHD patients.