The effect of cardiac rehabilitation on blood pressure, and on left atrial and ventricular functions in hypertensive patients

Spironolactone improves left atrial function and atrioventricular coupling in patients with resistant hypertension

To determine the blood pressure independent effects of spironolactone on left atrial (LA) size and function in patients with resistant hypertension (RHTN). Patients with RHTN (n = 36, mean age 55 ± 7) were prospectively recruited. Spironolactone was initiated at 25 mg/day and increased to 50 mg/day after 4 weeks. Other antihypertensives were withdrawn to maintain constant blood pressure. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was performed at baseline and after 6 months of spironolactone treatment and changes in LA functional metrics were assessed. LA size and function parameters were improved (p < 0.05) from baseline to month-6: LA volumes indexed to body surface area (LAVI) were reduced (LAVImaximum 41.4 ± 12 vs. 33.2±9.7 mL/m2; LAVIpre-A 32.6 ± 9.8 vs. 25.6 ± 8.1 mL/m2; median LAVIminimum 18.5 [13.9-24.8] vs. 14.1 [10.9-19.2] mL/m2); left atrioventricular coupling index was reduced (28.2 ± 11.5 vs. 22.7 ± 9.2%); LA emptying fractions (LAEF) were increased (median total LAEF 52.4 [48.7-60.3] vs. 55.9 [50.3-61.1] %; active LAEF 40.2 ± 8.6 vs. 43.1 ± 7.8%). LA global longitudinal strain in the active phase was increased (16.3 ± 4.1 vs. 17.8 ± 4.2%). The effect of spironolactone was similar in patients with high (N = 18) and normal (N = 18) aldosterone status (defined by plasma renin activity and 24-h urine aldosterone). Treatment of RHTN with spironolactone is associated with improvements in LA size and function, and atrioventricular coupling, regardless of whether aldosterone levels were normal or high at baseline. This study suggests the need for larger prospective studies examining effects of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists on atrial function and atrioventricular coupling.

Myocardial Work Assessment in Patients after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting during Cardiac Rehabilitation

BACKGROUND

Myocardial work is an innovative echocardiographic tool to assess left ventricular performance. Emerging data have shown the added value of this method for evaluating cardiac function compared to traditional echocardiographic parameters and global longitudinal strain. However, few studies are present in the literature about the role of myocardial work during cardiac rehabilitation. Our aim was to assess the impact of a rehabilitation program on myocardial work indices in patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction and after coronary artery bypass grafting. In addition, we assessed the correlation between baseline myocardial work indices and their change after cardiac rehabilitation, establishing an optimal cut-off value to predict the improvement.

METHODS

An observational, single-center, and prospective study was conducted. We enrolled patients referred to cardiac rehabilitation after coronary artery bypass grafting and with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. Before and after the cardiac rehabilitation program, a comprehensive patient assessment was performed, including traditional transthoracic echocardiography, myocardial work analysis, and a six-minute walk test.

RESULTS

Eighty-four patients were enrolled; the mean age was 67.96 (±7.42) years and 78.6% were male. The left ventricular ejection fraction was preserved in all patients, and the global longitudinal strain was -16.18 ± 2.55%, the global work index was 1588.56 ± 345 mmHg%, the global constructive work was 1771.27 ± 366.36 mmHg%, the global wasted work was 105.8 ± 72.02 mmHg%, and the global work efficiency was 92.63 ± 3.9% at baseline. After the cardiac rehabilitation program, the global work index, the global constructive work, and the six-minute walk test improved significantly (1588.56 ± 345 vs. 1960.2 ± 377.03 mmHg%, p-value < 0.001; 1771.27 ± 366.36 vs. 2172.01 ± 418.73 mmHg%, p-value < 0.001; 70.71 ± 40.2 vs. 437.5 ± 108.70 m, p-value < 0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Myocardial work indices, specifically global work index and global constructive work, improve after cardiac rehabilitation program in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction.

Potential Role of Global Longitudinal Strain in Cardiac and Oncological Patients Undergoing Cardio-Oncology Rehabilitation (CORE)

Although shown to be effective in improving survival and quality of life in patients with cancer, some treatments are well-known causes of cardiotoxicity, such as anthracyclines, monoclonal antibodies against human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and radiotherapy. To prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients living with cancer, cardiologists and oncologists promoted the development of cardio-oncology, an interdisciplinary field which aims to further improving life expectancy in these patients. Cardio-oncology rehabilitation (CORE), through correction of risk factors, prescription of drug therapies and structured exercise programs, tries to improve symptoms, quality of life, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and survival in patients with cancer. Different imaging modalities can be used to evaluate the real effectiveness of exercise training on cardiac function. Among these, the global longitudinal strain (GLS) has recently aroused interest, thanks to its high sensitivity and specificity for cardiac dysfunction detection due to advanced ultrasound programs. This review summarizes the evidence on the usefulness of GLS in patients with cancer undergoing cardiac rehabilitation programs.

Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19: The Potential Role of Exercise Therapy in Treating Patients and Athletes Returning to Play

Post-acute sequelae of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) (PASC) describe a wide range of symptoms and signs involving multiple organ systems occurring after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, representing a growing health problem also in the world of sport and the athletic population. Patients with PASC have new, returning, or persisting symptoms four or more weeks after the infection. Among the most frequent symptoms, patients complain of fatigue, dyspnea, exercise intolerance, and reduced functional capacity that interfere with everyday life activity. The role of exercise programs in PASC patients will be identified, and upcoming studies will establish the magnitude of their benefits. However, the benefits of exercise to counteract these symptoms are well known, and an improvement in cardiopulmonary fitness, functional status, deconditioning, and quality of life can be obtained in these patients, as demonstrated in similar settings. Based on this background, this review aims to summarise the current evidence about the PASC syndrome and the benefit of exercise in these patients and to provide a practical guide for the exercise prescription in PASC patients to help them to resume their functional status, exercise tolerance, prior activity levels, and quality of life, also considering the athletic population and their return to play and sports competitions.

Cluster Analysis to Distinguish Patients Most Likely to Benefit from Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation-A Prospective, Multicenter Study

Offering cardiac rehabilitation to people who can benefit most could improve the outcomes in the context of limited availability. We used cluster analysis to distinguish three patient groups based on clinical and laboratory variables and then compared the outcomes of 6-month outpatient cardiac rehabilitation between these groups. The outcomes included blood pressure, blood lipids, fasting blood glucose, and uric acid concertation in serum. Group 1 consisted primarily of men with obesity, increased blood pressure, favourable lipid profiles and increased fasting glucose. Group 2 consisted of men or women with normal weight, normal blood pressure, favourable lipid profiles, and normal fasting glucose. Group 3 consisted primarily of women with overweight, normal blood pressure, unfavourable lipid profiles, and normal fasting glucose. After 6 months of cardiac rehabilitation, blood lipids improved in group 3, whereas blood pressure improved in groups 1 and 3, but the outcomes did not change significantly in group 2. We did not see any effect of cardiac rehabilitation on fasting blood glucose and serum uric acid concentration in any group. Concentrations of glucose and uric acid did not change significantly in any group. In conclusion, an adequate selection of patients should maximise the benefits of cardiac rehabilitation.

A Contemporary Review of the Effects of Exercise Training on Cardiac Structure and Function and Cardiovascular Risk Profile: Insights From Imaging

Exercise is a commonly prescribed therapy for patients with established cardiovascular disease or those at high risk for de novo disease. Exercise-based, multidisciplinary programs have been associated with improved clinical outcomes post myocardial infarction and is now recommended for patients with cancer at elevated risk for cardiovascular complications. Imaging studies have documented numerous beneficial effects of exercise on cardiac structure and function, vascular function and more recently on the cardiovascular risk profile. In this contemporary review, we will discuss the effects of exercise training on imaging-derived cardiovascular outcomes. For cardiac imaging via echocardiography or magnetic resonance, we will review the effects of exercise on left ventricular function and remodeling in patients with established or at risk for cardiac disease (myocardial infarction, heart failure, cancer survivors), and the potential utility of exercise stress to assess cardiac reserve. Exercise training also has salient effects on vascular function and health including the attenuation of age-associated arterial stiffness and thickening as assessed by Doppler ultrasound. Finally, we will review recent data on the relationship between exercise training and regional adipose tissue deposition, an emerging marker of cardiovascular risk. Imaging provides comprehensive and accurate quantification of cardiac, vascular and cardiometabolic health, and may allow refinement of risk stratification in select patient populations. Future studies are needed to evaluate the clinical utility of novel imaging metrics following exercise training.

Central Hemodynamic Adjustments during Post-Exercise Hypotension in Hypertensive Patients with Ischemic Heart Disease: Concurrent Circuit Exercise versus High-Intensity Interval Exercise. A Preliminary Study

Concurrent aerobic plus resistance exercise (RAE) and high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) are both effective at inducing post-exercise hypotension (PEH) in patients with hypertension. However, central hemodynamic changes associated with PEH in hypertensive subjects with underlying ischemic heart disease (IHD) have been poorly investigated. The study aim was to compare the acute effects produced by these two exercise modalities on left ventricular diastolic function and left atrial function. Twenty untrained male patients with a history of hypertension and IHD under stable pharmacological therapy were enrolled. Each patient underwent three exercise sessions: RAE, HIIE and a control session without exercise, each lasting 45 min. An echocardiography examination was performed before and between 30 min and 40 min from the end of the exercise sessions. Following the exercise sessions, BP values decreased in a similar way in RAE and HIIE and were unchanged after the control session. Compared to pre-session, the ratio between early filling velocity (E) and mitral annulus early diastolic velocity (E’). E/E’ increased after HIIE and remained unchanged after both RAE and control sessions (between-sessions p 0.002). Peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS) increased slightly after RAE (+1.4 ± 1.1%), decreased after HIIE (−4.6 ± 2.4%) and was unchanged after the control session (between-sessions p 0.03). Peak atrial contraction strain (PACS) was mildly increased after RAE, was reduced after HIIE and was unchanged after the control session. Atrial volume was unchanged after both exercise sessions. Left ventricular and left atrial stiffness increased significantly after HIIE, but remained unchanged after the RAE and control sessions. Stroke volume and cardiac output increased after RAE, decreased after HIIE, and were unchanged after the control session. In conclusion, single session of RAE and HIIE brought about similar PEH in hypertensive subjects with IHD, while they evoked different central hemodynamic adjustments. Given its neutral effects on diastolic and atrial functions, RAE seems more suitable for reducing blood pressure in hypertensive patients with IHD.