Ischemic cardiomyopathy, defined by a deficiency in oxygenation of the myocardium due to a narrowing of the coronary arteries, is a major problem for public health. Medicinally-treated or re-vascularized cardiovascular rehabilitation following myocardial infarction has shown undeniable benefits in decreasing the overall mortality rate (13-26%), cardiovascular mortality (26-36%) and morbidity, by controlling cardiovascular risk factors and improving tolerance to effort and consequently improving the quality of life. Since the integration of physical exercise into the rehabilitation programs of patients suffering from coronary disease in the mid-90s, and throughout the following decade, the exercise training program has mainly relied on moderately intense continuous exercises (CONT) the aim of which is to improve the aerobic capacity. These efforts typically consist of performing a submaximal exercise with an intensity of 50 to 80% of the maximum capacity for effort (established according to studies depending on the maximum or reserve heart rate or even peak power, measured when performing a first test, then a progressive and maximum test), and a constant duration (about 20 to 60 minutes). In the 2000s, under the aegis of Scandinavian teams, the intermittent mode (IT) appeared, characterized by alternating high intensity efforts of a short duration with active recuperation phases (Rognmo et al., 2004). Superiority of the IT mode over the CONT mode is generally observed on aerobic capacity for effort, usually gauged via the maximal oxygen consumption peak measured during a graded and maximum effort test. An important methodological bias in the comparison of the two modalities, within meta-analyses or even in the same randomized controlled trial, is the absence of control/pairing on the overall volume of training. At the present time, and to the best of our knowledge, there have been no studies to compare the effects of CONT versus IT modes on the systolic or diastolic function of the myocardial region by 2D-strain following myocardial infarction. The aim of our study was to compare the outcomes of 2D strain scans upon inclusion and after 8 weeks of cardiovascular physiotherapy for 2 groups of patients benefiting from a CONT or IT program.
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Longitudinal systolic strain on Day 0.
Timeframe: Day 0
Longitudinal systolic strain at Week 8.
Timeframe: Week 8