The impact of early regular cardiac rehabilitation program on myocardial function after acute myocardial infarction

Abstract

Objective: To determine if an early regular cardiac rehabilitation program would have an adverse effect on myocardial function after acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Method: Patients who received percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) after AMI were divided into the exercise group and control group in accordance with their willingness to participate. Patients in the exercise group (n=18) received ECG monitored exercise for six weeks and were instructed to maintain self exercise in their communities for four months. The control group (n=16) patients were just instructed of risk factor control. All the subjects underwent echocardiography at the time of the AMI as well as six months later. The echocardiography parameters, including the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), stroke volume (SV), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and end-systolic diameter (LVESD), were measured.

Results: In the exercise group, the LVEF increased to 59.58±9.24% and 61.58±9.63% after six weeks and six months, respectively (p<0.05), but SV, LVEDD and LVESD did not change (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Active participation in the cardiac rehabilitation program approximately two weeks after AMI did not have an adverse effect on the size of the left ventricle and myocardial function.

Keywords: Exercise; Left ventricular remodeling; Myocardial infarction; Rehabilitation.