Increased Physical Activity Post-Myocardial Infarction Is Related to Reduced Mortality: Results From the SWEDEHEART Registry

Decrease in accelerometer assessed physical activity during the first-year post-myocardial infarction: a prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES

To elucidate physical activity in the first year after myocardial infarction (MI), and to explore differences in various subgroups, delineated by age, participation in exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (exCR), or restrictions due to the covid-19 pandemic. Secondly, to explore associations between changes in physical activity variables with blood pressure and lipid levels.

METHODS

A longitudinal study in 2017-2023. Physical activity variables were assessed via accelerometers at two- and twelve months post-MI. The intensity was divided into, sedentary, light, moderate, and vigorous-intensity physical activity, according to established cut-offs. Blood pressure and lipids were measured by standardized procedures at the same time points.

RESULTS

There were 178 patients included at baseline, 81% male, mean age of 64 (9 SD) years. Patients spent 72% of their time sedentary, followed by light (19%), moderate (8%), and vigorous physical activity (1%). Patients included during covid-19 restrictions and younger patients had a higher level of moderate-intensity physical activity compared to patients included during non-pandemic restrictions and older patients. At 12-month follow-up, patients overall increased time (1%) in sedentary behavior (p = 0.03) and decreased time (0.6%) in moderate-intensity physical activity (p = 0.04), regardless of participation in exCR or age. There was a positive association between the change in mean physical activity intensity and HDL-cholesterol (p = 0.047).

CONCLUSIONS

Participants had a low fraction of time in moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity two months post-MI, which deteriorated during the first year. This emphasizes the need for improved implementation of evidence-based interventions to support and motivate patients to perform regular physical activity.

Exploring the effects of real-time online cardiac telerehabilitation using wearable devices compared to gym-based cardiac exercise in people with a recent myocardial infarction: a randomised controlled trial

Background

Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a non-pharmacological multidisciplinary programme for individuals after myocardial infarction (MI) that offers multiple health benefits. One of the greatest barriers to CR participation is the travel distance to the rehabilitation centre. Remotely monitored CR appears to be at least as effective in improving cardiovascular risk factors and exercise capacity as traditional centre-based CR. Nevertheless, the efficacy of remotely monitored CR in individuals with a recent MI has yet to be examined.

Methods

A total of 30 individuals (8 women, 22 men) after a recent (i.e., <4 weeks) MI were randomly allocated into two groups (online home-based and gym-based groups). Both groups underwent a 26-week CR programme three times per week. All patients performed baseline and 24-week follow-up measurements where peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), mean daily steps, distance, and calories were assessed.

Results

The online group showed an improvement in mean daily steps (p < 0.05) and mean daily distance (p < 0.05) at 24 weeks compared to the gym-based group. The paired-sample t-test showed that all the assessed variables were statistically (p < 0.001) improved for both groups at 24 weeks. Pearson's r demonstrated positive correlations between VO2peak and mean daily distance (r = 0.375), and negative correlations between VO2peak and muscle (r = -0.523) and fat masses (r = -0.460). There were no exercise-induced adverse events during the study.

Conclusion

Our findings might indicate that a real-time online supervised CR exercise programme using wearable technology to monitor the haemodynamic responses in post-MI patients is equally effective as a gym-based exercise programme.

Activity counseling early postelective percutaneous coronary intervention (ACE-PCI): Mixed-methods pilot randomized controlled trial

Background

Physical activity (PA) levels of people with coronary heart disease are low in the first 30 days after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), increasing the risk of recurrent cardiac events. Following PCI, PA counseling delivered by a physiotherapist before discharge may increase the PA levels of patients. Preliminary work is required to determine the effects of the counseling session compared to usual care.

Objectives

To investigate the feasibility and potential efficacy of a brief physiotherapist-led PA counseling session immediately after an elective PCI compared to usual care for improved PA early post-PCI.

Methods

Using concealed allocation and blinded assessments, eligible participants (n = 30) were randomized to a physiotherapist-led PA counseling session (30 min) or usual care (nurse-led PA advice < 5 min). The primary outcome was daily minutes of moderate-to-vigorous PA (accelerometry; 3 weeks). Secondary outcomes included cardiac rehabilitation intention, anxiety and depression levels (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), and quality-of-life (MacNew questionnaire). Recruitment, retention, and attrition were assessed for feasibility. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 13 participants to determine intervention acceptability, and barriers and enablers to PA.

Results

Between and within-group comparisons were not significant in intention-to-treat analyses. All feasibility criteria were met except for retention and attrition of participants. At 3 weeks, only 25% of participants were planning to attend cardiac rehabilitation, with no between-group differences. Increased PA at 3 weeks was associated with participants that were younger, without other chronic disease,s and more active immediately following discharge. Interviews revealed personal, environmental, and program-based themes for barriers and enablers to PA.

Conclusions

A physiotherapist-led PA counseling session may not improve PA levels early post-elective PCI compared to very brief PA advice delivered by nurses. A larger multicentre randomized controlled trial is feasible with minor modifications to participant follow-up. Further research is required.

If you measure it, it matters!: a survey of factors influencing implementation of physical activity promotion in cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation in Australia

OBJECTIVE

To identify factors related to the frequency of physical activity (PA) promotion by health professionals working in cardiac and/or pulmonary rehabilitation.

METHODS

A cross-sectional online survey of health professionals working in cardiac and/or pulmonary rehabilitation in Australia was conducted between July and November 2022.

RESULTS

A total of 71 health professionals from four disciplines (physiotherapy, nursing, exercise physiology, occupational therapy) completed the survey. The majority agreed that PA promotion was part of their role. Despite this, only half of the participants encouraged ≥ 10 patients per month to be more physically active. In logistic regression modelling, health professionals that measured patients' PA levels (odds ratio 8.04, 95% confidence level 1.45-44.19) and prioritised PA promotion regardless of other patient problems (odds ratio 3.3, 95% confidence level 0.74-14.82) were much more likely to frequently promote PA to patients.

CONCLUSION

Measurement of patients' PA levels within cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation and making PA promotion a priority may impact the implementation of PA promotion within these programs.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

Physical activity measurement as a key performance indicator in cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation is indicated. This may be an important strategy to increase physical activity promotion by cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation health professionals.

Very brief intervention for physical activity behaviour change in cardiac rehabilitation: protocol for the 'Measure It!' effectiveness-implementation hybrid trial

INTRODUCTION

Physical inactivity is a risk factor for repeat cardiac events and all-cause mortality in coronary heart disease (CHD). Cardiac rehabilitation, a secondary prevention programme, aims to increase physical activity levels in this population from a reported low baseline. This trial will investigate the effectiveness and implementation of a very brief physical activity intervention, comparing different frequencies of physical activity measurement by cardiac rehabilitation clinicians. The Measure It! intervention (<5 min) includes a self-report and objective measure of physical activity (steps) plus very brief physical activity advice.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This type 1 hybrid effectiveness-implementation study will use a two-arm multicentre assessor-blind randomised trial design. Insufficiently active (<150 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week) cardiac rehabilitation attendees with CHD (18+ years) will be recruited from five phase II cardiac rehabilitation centres (n=190). Patients will be randomised (1:1) to five physical activity measurements or two physical activity measurements in total over 24 weeks. The primary effectiveness outcome is accelerometer daily minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity at 24 weeks. Secondary effectiveness outcomes include body mass index, waist circumference and quality-of-life. An understanding of multilevel contextual factors that influence implementation, and antecedent outcomes to implementation of the intervention (eg, feasibility and acceptability), will be obtained using semistructured interviews and other data sources. Linear mixed-effects models will be used to analyse effectiveness outcomes. Qualitative data will be thematically analysed inductively and deductively using framework analysis, with the framework guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research and Theoretical Domains Framework.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study has ethical approval (University of Canberra (ID 11836), Calvary Bruce Public Hospital (ID 14-2022) and the Greater Western Area (ID 2022/ETH01381) Human Research Ethics Committees). Results will be disseminated in multiple formats for consumer, public and clinical audiences.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ACTRN12622001187730p.

Hemodynamic Response in Ascending Aorta Surgery Patients during Moderate Intensity Resistance Training

Background

In patients undergoing ascending aortic surgery (AAS), postsurgical physical exercise with a safe and effective exercise prescription is recommended. Resistance training is associated with blood pressure (BP) elevations that may increase the risk of new aortic dissection or rupture. However, the acute hemodynamic response to resistance training for this patient group is unknown.

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate peak systolic BP (SBP) increases in AAS patients during moderate intensity resistance training.

Methods

SBP was measured continuously beat-to-beat with a noninvasive method during three sets of leg presses at moderate intensity. A 15-repetition maximum strength test was performed to estimate the maximal amount of resistance a participant could manage 15 times consecutively (equivalent to approximately 60-65% of their maximum strength).

Results

The study had 48 participants in total, i.e., 24 cases and 24 controls. Both groups consisted of 10 females (42%) and 14 males (58%). The case group had a mean age of 60.0 (SD ± 11.9) years and a mean of 16.3 months since surgery (minimum 4.4 and maximum 39.6 months). 22 of the 24 cases received antihypertensive medication. The median baseline BP was 119/74 mmHg among cases and 120/73 mmHg among controls. During the first set of leg presses, the median peak SBP was 152 mmHg, in the second set 154 mmHg, and in the third set 165 mmHg. Corresponding values in controls were 170 mmHg, 181 mmHg, and 179 mmHg. The highest peak SBP registered in an AAS patient was 190 mmHg and in any healthy control was 287 mmHg.

Conclusion

The findings indicate that AAS patients in control of their BP have the endurance to perform 3 sets of resistance training at moderate intensity as their SBP increases with a maximum of 39% from the baseline compared to the 51% increase in the control group.

Changes in Physical Activity and Incidence of Nonfatal Cardiovascular Events in 47 153 Survivors of Myocardial Infarction

Background The majority of patients survive the acute phase of myocardial infarction (MI) but have an increased risk of recurrent cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. To be regularly physically active or change activity level is associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality. The objective was to explore to what extent physical activity (PA) levels or change in PA levels during the first year post-MI was associated with any recurrent nonfatal CVD events and specific CVD events (eg, MI, ischemic stroke, and vascular dementia). Methods and Results This cohort study among MI survivors was based on Swedish national registries between 2005 and 2020. PA levels were self-rated at 2 and 12 months post-MI, and patients were classified into remaining physically inactive, increasing, decreasing, or remaining active. A total of 6534 nonfatal CVD events occurred during 6 years of follow-up among the 47 153 included patients. In fully adjusted analyses, the risk of any nonfatal CVD event was lower (P<0.05) among patients remaining active (37%), increasing (22%), or decreasing (18%) PA level compared with remaining inactive. Compared with remaining inactive, the risk of recurring MI and stroke was lower (P>0.05) among remaining active (41% versus 52%, respectively), increasing (20% versus 35%, respectively), or decreasing PA level (24% versus 34%, respectively). For vascular dementia, patients remaining physically active had an 80% lower risk compared with remaining inactive (P<0.05). Conclusions Remaining physically active or change in PA levels during the first year post-MI was associated with a lower risk of recurrent nonfatal CVD events. This emphasizes the importance of supporting patients to continue to be or become physically active.

High Self-Reported Levels of Pain 1 Year After a Myocardial Infarction Are Related to Long-Term All-Cause Mortality: A SWEDEHEART Study Including 18 376 Patients

Background Pain increases the risk for cardiovascular diseases, including myocardial infarction (MI). However, the impact of pain on mortality after MI has not yet been investigated in large studies with long-term follow-up periods. Thus, we aimed to examine various levels of pain severity 1 year after an MI as a potential risk for all-cause mortality. Methods and Results We collected data from 18 376 patients, aged <75 years, who had a registered MI event during the period from 2004 to 2013 and with measurements of potential cardiovascular risk indicators at hospital discharge from the Swedish quality register SWEDEHEART (Swedish Web System for Enhancement and Development of Evidence-Based Care in Heart Disease Evaluated According to Recommended Therapies). Self-reported levels of experienced pain according to EuroQol-5 dimension instrument were recorded in secondary prevention clinics 1 year after hospital discharge. We collected all-cause mortality data up to 8.5 years (median, 3.4 years) after the 1-year visit. The Cox proportional hazard regression was used to estimate hazard ratio (HR) and 95% CI. Moderate pain and extreme pain were reported by 38.2% and 4.5%, respectively, of included patients. There were 1067 deaths. Adjusted HR was 1.35 (95% CI, 1.18-1.55) and 2.06 (95% CI, 1.63-2.60) for moderate and extreme pain, respectively. Pain was a stronger mortality predictor than smoking. Conclusions Pain 1 year after MI is highly prevalent, and its effect on mortality 1 year after MI was found to be more pronounced than smoking. Clinicians managing patients after MI should recognize the need to consider experienced pain when making prognosis or treatment decisions.

Physical activity, inactivity and sleep in older patients with coronary artery disease following percutaneous coronary intervention: a longitudinal, observational study

OBJECTIVES

Physical activity presents an important cornerstone in the management and care of coronary artery disease (CAD) patients following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and research in older patients continues to be overlooked. This study evaluated differences in physical activity, inactivity and sleep of CAD patients following PCI for acute coronary syndrome consisting of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-STEMI (NSTEMI) and elective admission of stable angina patients over 12 months.

METHODS

This was an observational, longitudinal study. Fifty-eight patients were recruited (STEMI, n  = 20, NSTEMI, n  = 18 and stable angina, n  = 20) and completed 7-day monitoring (physical activity, inactivity and sleep) using wrist-worn tri-axial accelerometers (GENEActiv, ActivInsights Ltd, Kimbolton, Cambridgeshire, UK) upon discharge from a tertiary centre and repeated measurements at 3 months ( n  = 43), 6 months ( n  = 40) and 12 months ( n  = 33).

RESULTS

Following PCI, CAD patients showed a general trend of increasing light and moderate-vigorous physical activity over the 12-month follow-up. Time in inactivity remained high but decreased over time. Sleep duration and sleep efficiency remained consistent. NSTEMI patients spent less time asleep, more time inactive and less time in light and moderate-vigorous physical activity in comparison to STEMI and stable angina patients. Differences between the groups over time were minimal.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that older patients with CAD spend long periods in inactivity but the increasing trend of both light and moderate-vigorous physical activity over time presents a positive change in behaviour in the year following PCI.

Adherence to rehabilitation and home exercise after myocardial infarction: a qualitative study of expectations, barriers and drivers

BACKGROUND

Cardiac rehabilitation is a key component of secondary prevention, but uptake is often low, and motivation to pursue exercise and lifestyle changes may be lacking in patients who have suffered from acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We explored the intentions of patients hospitalized for AMI regarding attendance at cardiac rehabilitation and the future pursuit of regular physical exercise at home.

METHODS

We performed a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews. Eligible patients were those hospitalized for AMI in the cardiology unit of a large university hospital in Eastern France between 10/11/2021 and 7/3/2022, and who were deemed eligible for rehabilitation by the treating physician. Patients were interviewed before discharge. Interviews were transcribed and analysed by thematic analysis. We administered the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) questionnaire to all participants.

RESULTS

Of 17 eligible patients, 15 were interviewed, at which point saturation was reached. The majority were males (n = 13, 86%), median age 54 years (41-61). Three key themes emerged: Firstly, there is a mismatch between patients' perceptions of their physical activity and actual level of activity as assessed by objective tools. Second, cardiac rehabilitation is seen as a vector for information about the return to home after AMI. Third, regarding the intention to change lifestyle, there are persisting obstacles, drivers, fears and expectations.

CONCLUSION

Patients with AMI often overestimate how physically active they are. Even close to discharge, patients have persisting informational needs, and many see cardiac rehabilitation as a means to obtain this information, rather than as a therapeutic intervention.

Physical Activity and Mortality in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Coronary artery disease (CAD) accounts for half of heart-related mortalities. Secondary prevention measures are aimed at enhancing the probability of survival in acute and chronic heart diseases. Physical activity (PA) has been shown to effectively reduce all-cause and cardiovascular (CV) mortality rates. This article reviews the relationship between PA and mortality in patients with CAD. Additionally, we discuss the process of vascular changes that contributes to survival benefits in physically active CAD patients, along with exercise dosing and guideline recommendations.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent studies have shown that physical inactivity poses a modifiable risk factor that impedes favorable vasculature remodeling, unlike active individuals. Recent meta-analyses provide strong evidence of the multifaceted advantages of PA in lowering mortality rates in patients with CAD, as opposed to physically inactive participants. In summary, substantial evidence indicates that PA is significantly associated with reduction in all-cause and CV mortality in CAD patients, with a dose-response relationship.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Enhances Survival in Cardiac Patients Aged Under 60: 14-YEAR OUTCOMES OF THE BEATING HEART PROBLEMS PROGRAM TRIAL

PURPOSE

To optimize recovery and improve prognosis, people who have had an acute cardiac event (ACE) need support to manage their cardiac risk. In 2008, we conducted a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of Beating Heart Problems (BHP) , an 8-wk group program based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing (MI), designed to improve behavioral and mental health. This study investigated 14-yr mortality status for RCT participants in order to evaluate the survival impact of the BHP program.

METHODS

In 2021, mortality data on 275 participants from the earlier RCT were obtained from the Australian National Death Index. Survival analysis was undertaken to investigate differences in survival for participants in the treatment and control groups.

RESULTS

Over the 14-yr follow-up period, there were 52 deaths (18.9%). For those aged <60 yr, there was a significant survival benefit to program participation, with 3% deaths in the treatment group and 13% deaths in the control group ( P = .022). For those aged ≥60 yr, the death rate was identical in both groups (30%). Other significant predictors of mortality included older age, higher 2-yr risk score, lower functional capacity, lower self-rated health, and having no private health insurance.

CONCLUSIONS

Participation in the BHP conferred a survival benefit for patients aged <60 yr but not for participants overall. The findings highlight the long-term benefit of behavioral and psychosocial management of cardiac risk through CBT and MI for those who are younger at the time of their first ACE.

Multi-domain lifestyle intervention in older adults after myocardial infarction: rationale and design of the PIpELINe randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Traditional cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is effective in improving physical performance and prognosis after myocardial infarction (MI). Anyway, it is not consistently recommended to older adults, and its attendance rate is low. Previous studies suggested that alternative, early and tailored exercise interventions are feasible and effective in improving physical performance in older MI patients. Anyway, the demonstration that they are associated also with a significant reduction of hard endpoints is lacking.

AIM

To describe rationale and design of the "Physical activity Intervention in Elderly patients with myocardial Infarction" (PIpELINe) trial.

METHODS

The PIpELINe trial is a prospective, randomized, multicentre study with a blinded adjudicated evaluation of the outcomes. Patients aged ≥ 65 years, admitted to hospital for MI and with a low physical performance one month after discharge, as defined as short physical performance battery (SPPB) value between 4 and 9, will be randomized to a multi-domain lifestyle intervention (including dietary counselling, strict management of cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors, and exercise training) or health education. The primary endpoint is the one-year occurrence of the composite of cardiovascular death or re-hospitalization for cardiovascular causes.

RESULTS

The recruitment started in March 2020. The estimated sample size is 456 patients. The conclusion of the enrolment is planned for mid-2023. The primary endpoint analysis will be available for the end of 2024.

CONCLUSIONS

The PIpELINe trial will show if a multi-domain lifestyle intervention is able to reduce adverse events in older patients with reduced physical performance after hospitalization for MI.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04183465.

Time-Varying Effect of Physical Activity on Mortality Among Myocardial Infarction Survivors: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study

Background

Physical activity (PA) is an important component of secondary prevention after myocardial infarction (MI). The mortality risk of MI survivors varies at different post-MI periods, yet the time-varying effect of total PA is unclear. We aimed to investigate the association between different volumes and patterns of total PA and mortality at different post-MI periods.

Methods

Using data from the China Patient-centered Evaluative Assessment of Cardiac Events Million Persons Project, we divided the screened MI survivors into within-1-year and beyond-1-year groups based on the duration between their baseline interview and MI onset. Total PA was divided into insufficient ( < 3000 metabolic equivalent of task [MET] minutes/week) and sufficient PA. Sufficient PA was further categorized as moderate and high (3000-4500 and > 4500 MET minutes/week) volumes; leisure ( ≥ 50%) and non-leisure ( > 50%) patterns. Data on mortality were derived from the National Mortality Surveillance System and Vital Registration of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Cox proportional hazard models were fitted to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Restricted cubic spline regression analyses were performed to examine the dose-response association between PA and mortality.

Results

During the follow-up (median 3.7 years) of the 20,653 post-MI patients, 751 patients died. In the within-1-year group, moderate (HR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.40 to 0.88) and high (0.63, 0.45 to 0.88) volumes and both patterns (leisure: 0.52, 0.29 to 0.94; non-leisure: 0.64, 0.46 to 0.88) of PA were all associated with significantly lower risk of mortality, compared with insufficient PA. In the beyond-1-year group, the association was observed in high volume (0.69, 0.56 to 0.86) and both patterns (leisure: 0.64, 0.48 to 0.87; non-leisure: 0.79, 0.65 to 0.97). A non-linear relationship between PA and mortality was found in the within-1-year group (p for non-linearity < 0.001), while a linear relationship was demonstrated in the beyond-1-year group (p for non-linearity = 0.107).

Conclusions

Sufficient total PA was associated with mortality risk reduction after MI, either leisure or non-leisure pattern. Different dose-response associations between PA and mortality were found at different post-MI periods. These results could promote individualized and scientifically derived secondary prevention strategies for MI.

The Association Between a Second Course of Cardiac Rehabilitation and Cardiovascular Outcomes Following Repeat Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Events

PURPOSE

Survivors of coronary artery disease (CAD) events are at risk for repeat events. Although evidence supports cardiac rehabilitation (CR) after an initial CAD event, it is unclear whether a repeat course of CR (CR × 2) is beneficial after a recurrent CAD event. The purpose of this study was to determine the association of CR × 2 with clinical outcomes in persons undergoing repeat percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS

We assessed the prevalence of CR × 2 and its impact on cardiovascular outcomes in individuals who experienced a repeat PCI at the Mayo Clinic hospitals between January 1, 1998, and December 31, 2013. Landmark analyses were used to calculate unadjusted and propensity score adjusted mortality rates and cardiovascular (CV) events rates for patients who underwent CR × 2 compared with those who did not.

RESULTS

Among 240 individuals who had a repeat PCI and who had participated in CR after their first PCI, 97 (40%) participated in CR × 2. Outcomes were assessed for a mean follow-up time of 7.8 yr (IQR 7.1-9.0 yr). Propensity score-based inverse probability weighting analysis revealed that CR × 2 was associated with significantly lower target lesion revascularization (HR = 0.47: 95% CI, 0.26-0.86; P = .014), lower combined end point of CV death, myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization (HR = 0.57: 95% CI, 0.36-0.89; P = .014), and lower CV hospitalization (HR = 0.60; 95% CI, 0.43-0.84; P = .003).

CONCLUSION

A second course of CR following repeat PCI is associated with a lower risk of adverse clinical outcomes. These findings support current policies that allow for repeat courses of CR following recurrent CV events.

Influence of Physical Training after a Myocardial Infarction on Left Ventricular Contraction Mechanics

BACKGROUND

Exercise plays a positive role in the course of the ischemic heart disease, enhancing functional capacity and preventing ventricular remodeling.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the impact of exercise on left ventricular (LV) contraction mechanics after an uncomplicated acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

METHODS

A total of 53 patients was included, 27 of whom were randomized to a supervised training program (TRAINING group), and 26 to a CONTROL group, who received usual recommendations on physical exercise after AMI. All patients underwent cardiopulmonary stress testing and a speckle tracking echocardiography to measure several parameters of LV contraction mechanics at one month and five months after AMI. A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant for the comparisons of the variables.

RESULTS

No significant difference were found in the analysis of LV longitudinal, radial and circumferential strain parameters between groups after the training period. After the training program, analysis of torsional mechanics demonstrated a reduction in the LV basal rotation in the TRAINING group in comparison to the CONTROL group (5.9±2.3 vs. 7.5±2.9o; p=0.03), and in the basal rotational velocity (53.6±18.4 vs.68.8±22.1 º/s; p=0.01), twist velocity (127.4±32.2 vs. 149.9±35.9 º/s; p=0.02) and torsion (2.4±0.4 vs. 2.8±0.8 º/cm; p=0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Physical activity did not cause a significant improvement in LV longitudinal, radial and circumferential deformation parameters. However, the exercise had a significant impact on the LV torsional mechanics, consisting of a reduction in basal rotation, twist velocity, torsion and torsional velocity which can be interpreted as a ventricular "torsion reserve" in this population.

Association of physical activity and trajectories of physical activity with cardiovascular disease

INTRODUCTION

Prolonged sedentary life existence is associated with increased incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD), coronary heart disease (CHD), obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension, heart failure (HF), and all-cause mortality. On the contrary, regular exercise is known from antiquity to be associated with beneficial cardiovascular (CV) effects and decreased mortality.

AREAS COVERED

The cardiovascular (CV) benefits of exercise have been confirmed by many studies, but the trajectories of the different modes of PA are not well recognized. In order to examine the different modalities of exercise and its long-term trajectories, a Medline search of the English literature was conducted between 2015 and 2022 and 60 pertinent papers were selected for review.

EXPERT OPINION

Careful review of the selected papers showed that the beneficial CV effects of PA are mediated through several favorable modifications of molecular and clinical factors. Also, any type of physical activity in conjunction with lifestyle adjustments is associated with decreased incidence of CVD, CHD, obesity, T2DM, hypertension, HF, and all-cause mortality. In addition, the long-term trajectories regarding the duration and the level of exercise are associated with greater beneficial CV effects, with even the resumption of discontinued exercise can lead to beneficial CV effects.

Exercise training after myocardial infarction increases survival but does not prevent adverse left ventricle remodeling and dysfunction in high-fat diet fed mice

AIMS

Aerobic exercise is an important component of rehabilitation after cardiovascular injuries including myocardial infarction (MI). In human studies, the beneficial effects of exercise after an MI are blunted in patients who are obese or glucose intolerant. Here, we investigated the effects of exercise on MI-induced cardiac dysfunction and remodeling in mice chronically fed a high-fat diet (HFD).

MAIN METHODS

C57Bl/6 male mice were fed either a standard (Chow; 21% kcal/fat) or HFD (60% kcal/fat) for 36 weeks. After 24 weeks of diet, the HFD mice were randomly subjected to an MI (MI) or a sham surgery (Sham). Following the MI or sham surgery, a subset of mice were subjected to treadmill exercise.

KEY FINDINGS

HFD resulted in obesity and glucose intolerance, and this was not altered by exercise or MI. MI resulted in decreased ejection fraction, increased left ventricle mass, increased end systolic and diastolic diameters, increased cardiac fibrosis, and increased expression of genes involved in cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure in the MI-Sed and MI-Exe mice. Exercise prevented HFD-induced cardiac fibrosis in Sham mice (Sham-Exe) but not in MI-Exe mice. Exercise did, however, reduce post-MI mortality.

SIGNIFICANCE

These data indicate that exercise significantly increased survival after MI in a model of diet-induced obesity independent of effects on cardiac function. These data have important translational ramifications because they demonstrate that environmental interventions, including diet, need to be carefully evaluated and taken into consideration to support the effects of exercise in the cardiac rehabilitation of patients who are obese.

Advances of 3D Printing in Vascularized Organ Construction

In the past several decades, three-dimensional (3D) printing has provided some viable tissues and organs for repairing or replacing damaged tissues and organs. However, the construction of sufficient vascular networks in a bioartificial organ has proven to be challenging. To make a fully functional bioartificial organ with a branched vascular network that can substitute its natural counterparts, various studies have been performed to surmount the limitations. Significant progress has been achieved in 3D printing of vascularized liver, heart, bone, and pancreas. It is expected that this technology can be used more widely in other bioartificial organ manufacturing. In this review, we summarize the specific applications of 3D printing vascularized organs through several rapid prototyping technologies. The limitations and future directions are also discussed.

Evaluation of Maintained PhysicAl CaPacity 1-yr After Coronary Patient Cardiac Rehabilitation (EMAP): A FRENCH MULTICENTER STUDY

PURPOSE

Data are scarce concerning the sustainable effects of cardiac rehabilitation (CR), on cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). This study, carried out using data from a French multicenter study, aimed to clarify the evolution of the CRF of patients with CAD 1 yr after the end of a CR stay.

METHODS

Patients were included after an acute coronary syndrome (77%) and/or coronary revascularization, occurring <3 mo beforehand. All underwent a CR program with CRF evaluation by exercise testing (ET) on a cycle ergometer at the beginning of CR (ET1), at its end (ET2), and 1 yr later (ET3)-all ETs were performed with medication.

RESULTS

Two hundred fifty-nine patients were included (age 60 ± 10 yr, 89% male) in 16 French CR centers. Left ventricular ejection fraction was 55.3 ± 9%. Revascularization was complete (82%). Maximal workloads were 110 ± 37 (ET1), 139 ± 43 (ET2), and 144 ± 46 W (ET3) (P< .001). The estimated metabolic equivalents of the task (METs) were respectively 5.3 ± 1.4, 6.4 ± 1.6 (P< .001), and 6.6 ± 1.7 (P< .002). One year later, 163 patients (63%) improved or maintained their CRF (ET3 ≥ ET2), 73 (28%) decreased (ET1 < ET3 < ET2), and 23 (9%) lost the benefit of CR (ET3 ≤ ET1).

CONCLUSION

Among completers who agreed to enroll in this study, most patients with CAD seem to maintain their CRF 1 yr after CR.

How and Why Patients Adhere to a Prescribed Cardiac Rehabilitation Program: A Longitudinal Phenomenological Study of Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

Background. Adherence to cardiac rehabilitation remains a challenge despite established evidence that engaging in regular exercise is a strong preventive measure to experiencing a second cardiac event. A recent study found a six-month cardiac rehabilitation program to be effective for facilitating regular exercise behavior among patients diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome. The purpose of this study was to conduct a phenomenological investigation using Colaizzi’s descriptive technique to understand mechanisms responsible for behavior change. Methods. Data were collected and analyzed among patients with acute coronary syndrome at a cardiac rehabilitation using semi-structured interviews that were conducted over the phone across three months. Conclusion. Thematic analysis of 15 semi-structured interviews resulted in 124 statements that were analyzed. The data yielded seven themes that included “motivation to follow prescribed exercise program”, “volitional decision”, “capability of performing exercise”, “connectedness to peers”, “planning”, “habit formation”, and “adopting healthy behaviors beyond exercise”. The emerged themes align with construct definitions of the self-determination theory, which include the three psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness), in addition to autonomous motivation, which represents internally driven reasons to participate in exercise. Planning and habit formation themes support contemporary research that identifies these constructs responsible for behavioral maintenance. While these themes help explain exercise participation, the final theme, adopting healthy behaviors beyond exercise, reflects the impact of the program on having a change towards a healthier lifestyle. The findings highlight the complexity of exercise behavior, and that long-term participation is likely explained by amalgamating the self-determination theory.

Multiparameter Monitoring with a Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator

A wearable cardioverter-defibrillator (WCD) is a temporary treatment option for patients at high risk for sudden cardiac death (SCD) and for patients who are temporarily not candidates for an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). In addition, the need for telemedical concepts in the detection and treatment of heart failure (HF) and its arrhythmias is growing. The WCD has evolved from a shock device detecting malignant ventricular arrhythmias (VA) and treating them with shocks to a heart-failure-monitoring device that captures physical activity and cardioacoustic biomarkers as surrogate parameters for HF to help the treating physician surveil and guide the HF therapy of each individual patient. In addition to its important role in preventing SCD, the WCD could become an important tool in heart failure treatment by helping prevent HF events by detecting imminent decompensation via remote monitoring and monitoring therapy success.

One-Year Landmark Analysis of the Effect of Beta-Blocker Dose on Survival After Acute Myocardial Infarction

Background Although beta-blockers are recommended following myocardial infarction (MI), the benefits of long-term treatment have not been established. The study's aim was to evaluate beta-blocker efficacy by dose in 1-year post-MI survivors. Methods and Results The OBTAIN (Outcomes of Beta-Blocker Therapy After Myocardial Infarction) registry included 7057 patients with acute MI, with 6077 one-year survivors. For this landmark analysis, beta-blocker dose status was available in 3004 patients and analyzed by use (binary) and dose at 1 year after MI. Doses were classified as no beta-blocker and >0% to 12.5%, >12.5% to 25%, >25% to 50%, and >50% of target doses used in randomized clinical trials. Age was 63 to 64 years, and approximately two thirds were men. Median follow-up duration was 1.05 years (interquartile range, 0.98-1.22). When analyzed dichotomously, beta-blocker therapy was not associated with improved survival. When analyzed by dose, propensity score analysis showed significantly increased mortality in the no-beta-blocker group (hazard ratio,1.997; 95% CI, 1.118-3.568; P<0.02), the >0% to 12.5% group (hazard ratio, 1.817; 95% CI, 1.094-3.016; P<0.02), and the >25% to 50% group (hazard ratio, 1.764; 95% CI, 1.105-2.815; P<0.02), compared with the >12.5% to 25% dose group. The mortality in the full-dose group was not significantly higher (hazard ratio, 1.196; 95% CI, 0.687-2.083). In subgroup analyses, only history of congestive heart failure demonstrated significant interaction with beta-blocker effects on survival. Conclusions This analysis suggests that patients treated with >12.5% to 25% of the target dose used in prior randomized clinical trials beyond 1 year after MI may have enhanced survival compared with no beta-blocker and other beta-blocker doses. A new paradigm for post-MI beta-blocker therapy is needed that addresses which patients should be treated, for how long, and at what dose.

Physical Exercise and Cardiac Repair: The Potential Role of Nitric Oxide in Boosting Stem Cell Regenerative Biology

Over the years strong evidence has been accumulated showing that aerobic physical exercise exerts beneficial effects on the prevention and reduction of cardiovascular risk. Exercise in healthy subjects fosters physiological remodeling of the adult heart. Concurrently, physical training can significantly slow-down or even reverse the maladaptive pathologic cardiac remodeling in cardiac diseases, improving heart function. The underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms of the beneficial effects of physical exercise on the heart are still a subject of intensive study. Aerobic activity increases cardiovascular nitric oxide (NO) released mainly through nitric oxidase synthase 3 activity, promoting endothelium-dependent vasodilation, reducing vascular resistance, and lowering blood pressure. On the reverse, an imbalance between increasing free radical production and decreased NO generation characterizes pathologic remodeling, which has been termed the "nitroso-redox imbalance". Besides these classical evidence on the role of NO in cardiac physiology and pathology, accumulating data show that NO regulate different aspects of stem cell biology, including survival, proliferation, migration, differentiation, and secretion of pro-regenerative factors. Concurrently, it has been shown that physical exercise generates physiological remodeling while antagonizes pathologic remodeling also by fostering cardiac regeneration, including new cardiomyocyte formation. This review is therefore focused on the possible link between physical exercise, NO, and stem cell biology in the cardiac regenerative/reparative response to physiological or pathological load. Cellular and molecular mechanisms that generate an exercise-induced cardioprotective phenotype are discussed in regards with myocardial repair and regeneration. Aerobic training can benefit cells implicated in cardiovascular homeostasis and response to damage by NO-mediated pathways that protect stem cells in the hostile environment, enhance their activation and differentiation and, in turn, translate to more efficient myocardial tissue regeneration. Moreover, stem cell preconditioning by and/or local potentiation of NO signaling can be envisioned as promising approaches to improve the post-transplantation stem cell survival and the efficacy of cardiac stem cell therapy.

Facilitating Exercise Habit Formation among Cardiac Rehabilitation Patients: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial

BACKGROUND

The importance of promoting exercise adherence among individuals with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is imperative. However, challenges in maintaining behavior among ACS patients are also well-documented. Emerging findings in the general population have supported the use of habit-formation techniques, which include incorporating routine consistency and cues, to be effective for facilitating exercise behavior. The effectiveness of habit formation approaches, however, has not been tested on participants with ACS. The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of facilitating physical activity habits among patients with ACS in a two-arm, parallel design, randomized controlled pilot trial.

METHODS

Participants (n = 13) were older adult patients (M age = 64.20, SD = 5.35) with ACS who were referred to a cardiac rehabilitation center. The experimental group attended monthly group meetings from months 1-3 and received phone call follow-ups from months 4-6.

CONCLUSIONS

The experimental group showed an increase in weekly moderate-to-vigorous level physical activity, M = 228.20 mins (SD = 112.45), compared with the control group, M = 151.17 (SD = 112.22), d = 0.61. The experimental condition also showed greater use of routine consistency (experimental: M = 4.60 (SD = 0.548); control: M = 3.76 (SD = 1.62)) and cue usage (experimental: M = 3.60 (SD = 0.471); control: M= 2.60 (SD = 0.398)) over the control condition at the six-month mark. The study supports the effectiveness of habit-building techniques among patients with ACS, with effect sizes ranging from a medium to large magnitude. Findings from this pilot study support a full clinical trial with larger sample size.

Participation in exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation is related to reduced total mortality in both men and women: results from the SWEDEHEART registry

AIMS

Participation in exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (exCR) increases aerobic capacity and improves outcomes in patients following myocardial infarction (MI) and is therefore universally recommended. While meta-analyses consistently report that participation in exCR reduces cardiovascular mortality, there are conflicting results regarding effects on total mortality. Presently, many eligible patients do not receive exCR in clinical practice. We aimed to investigate the relation between participation in exCR post-MI and total mortality in men and women in a nationwide real-world cohort from the SWEDEHEART registry.

DESIGN

Longitudinal, observational cohort study.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In total, 20 895 patients from the SWEDEHEART registry were included. Mortality data were obtained from the Swedish National Population Registry. During a mean of 4.55 (±2.33) years of follow-up, 1000 patients died. Using Cox regression for proportional odds and taking a wide range of potential confounders into consideration, participation in exCR was related to significantly lower total mortality [hazard ratio (HR) 0.72, 95% confidence interval 0.62-0.83]. Excluding patients with shorter follow-up than 2 years did not alter the results. Exercise-based CR participation was related to lowered total mortality in most of the investigated subgroups. The risk reduction was more pronounced in women than in men (HR 0.54 vs. 0.81, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Participation in exCR was associated with reduced total mortality, and more pronounced in women, compared with men. Our results further support the recommendations to participate in exCR, and hence we argue that exCR should be a mandatory part of comprehensive CR programmes, offered to all patients post-MI.

The gap between stated importance of and clinical work in promoting healthy lifestyle habits by healthcare professionals in a Swedish hospital setting: A cross-sectional survey

The objective of this study was to explore the stated importance of promoting healthy lifestyle habits (alcohol, eating habits, physical activity and tobacco) by healthcare professionals, and to what extent these attitudes were translated into clinical work. In 2014, healthcare professionals (n = 251) from cardiology departments in two hospitals in Stockholm, Sweden, participated in a cross-sectional descriptive questionnaire-based survey. The questionnaire included topics regarding stated importance and clinical work undertaken to promote healthy lifestyle habits. Personal and organisational factors of potential importance, expectations and future work were also explored. To analyse differences in stated importance and clinical work within and between lifestyle factors, comparisons of proportions were performed with 99% confidence intervals (CI). Relationships between stated importance and clinical work were investigated using logistic regression. The majority of healthcare professionals stated that it was 'very important' to promote healthy lifestyle habits among patients in general (69%-94%) and in their own clinical work (63%-80%). Despite this, always asking questions (18%-41%) or providing counselling (11%-23%) regarding lifestyle habits was reported to be rare. Overall, tobacco cessation was considered the most important behavioural change and was more often included in clinical work compared to promoting physical activity, healthy eating habits and limiting alcohol use. Clinical work was mainly influenced by to what extent the healthcare professional perceived clear organisational routines and objectives. In conclusion, we observed a gap between stated importance and clinical work in the promotion of healthy lifestyle habits among healthcare professionals. There were differences between lifestyle factors, indicating that work with tobacco cessation is the most established. Our results suggest that in order to promote patients' lifestyle habits in line with evidence-based guidelines, healthcare management should focus on and improve organisational routines and objectives.

Reliability of the Swedish version of the multidimensional outcome expectations for exercise scale (MOEES-SW) in a cardiac population

Purpose: Translate and adapt the Multidimensional Outcome Expectations for Exercise Scale (MOEES) into Swedish language and to explore psychometric properties, in terms of test-retest reliability, internal consistency as well as factor structure and floor and ceiling effects, of the Swedish version of MOEES in cardiac patients.Materials and methods:This prospective psychometrical study set in a Swedish cardiac rehabilitation outpatient clinic included 74 patients; age ³18 years after acute coronary syndrome or that had undergone cardiac surgery. Translation and adaptation procedure of the MOEES followed established international guidelines. To evaluate test-retest reliability, relative (intra-class correlation coefficient ICC, 2.1)and absolute reliability (standard error of measurement (SEM) standard error of measurement % (SEM%), percentage of absolute agreement and Kappa coefficient for each item were calculated. Internal consistency was assessed with Cronbach´s alpha. The original 3-factor structure was tested with a confirmatory factor analysis. Floor and ceiling effects were calculated. Results: In total, 60 patients, mean age 65 years, were included in the study. The test-retest showed for the three outcome expectations subscales (Physical, Self-evaluative and Social) ICC-values of 0.40 (CI 95% 0.20-0.58), 0.57 (0.39-0.71) and 0.72 (0.57-0.83), respectively. In general, the Kappa coefficients were low and varied between 0.11 and 0.44. Two questions had low loadings in the confirmatory factor analysis (<0.5) , contributing to a weak fit of the model. There was no floor effect, but the subscales physical and self-evaluative outcome expectation showed ceiling effects. Conclusion:This is the first study to analyse test-retest reliability of the translated version of MOEES into Swedish in cardiac patients and shows need for further development of the instrument before use in clinical practice and research.

Factors Affecting Health-Promoting Behaviors in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally and the second most common cause of death in South Korea. Health-promoting behaviors recommended for patients with cardiovascular disease include control of diet, physical activity, cessation of smoking, medication adherence, and adherence to medical recommendations. This study aimed to determine the relationship between depression, anxiety, perception of health status, and health-promoting behavior in patients from South Korea who have suffered from cardiovascular disease. The study population comprised 161 patients at the cardiovascular center at H Hospital who were diagnosed with cardiovascular disease. Descriptive statistics and stepwise multiple regression were employed to analyze the data. Negative correlations existed between depression, perception of health status, and health-promoting behavior. By contrast, a positive correlation existed between the perception of health status and health-promoting behavior. The main factors affecting health-promoting behaviors were alcohol consumption, duration of diagnosis, perception of health status, and depression. These variables explained 15.8% of the variance. To prevent adverse cardiac events, patients who suffer from cardiovascular disease should be assessed as soon as possible to identify psychiatric symptoms, thereby developing a potential intervention aimed at decreasing negative illness consequences.

Leisure-Time Physical Activity and Mortality in CKD: A 1999-2012 NHANES Analysis

BACKGROUND

For patients with CKD, evidence on the optimal dose of physical activity and possible harm with excessive exercise is limited. This study aimed to analyze the dose-response association between leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and mortality in those with CKD and explore the optimal dose or possible harm associated with increased levels of LTPA.

METHODS

4,604 participants with CKD from the 1999 to 2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys with linked mortality data obtained through 2015 were classified into 6 groups: 0, 1-149, 150-299, 300-599, 600-899, and ≥900 min/week based on the total duration of the self-reported LTPA. Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine dose-response associations between LTPA and mortality.

RESULTS

During the median follow-up of 114 months, 1,449 (31%) all-cause deaths were recorded. Compared to the inactive group (0 min/week), we observed a 22% lower risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 0.78; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.63-0.97) among participants who performed 1-149 min per week for LTPA. The corresponding HRs and 95% CIs for all-cause mortality for 150-299 and 300-599 min/week of LTPA were 0.79 (0.64-0.97) and 0.74 (0.56-0.98). The benefit appeared to reach a threshold of a 43% (HR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.36-0.91) lower risk of all-cause mortality among individuals performing 600-899 min/week for LTPA. Importantly, for ≥900 min/week of LTPA, the continued benefits were observed (HR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44-0.87).

CONCLUSION

LTPA was associated with lower mortality in those with CKD. The optimal dose was observed at the LTPA level of approximately 600-899 min/week, and there were still benefits rather than the excess risk with LTPA levels as high as ≥900 min/week. Therefore, clinicians should encourage inactive CKD patients to perform LTPA and do not need to discourage CKD patients who already adhere to long-term physical activity.

Current smoking as a marker of a high-risk behavioral profile after myocardial infarction

Continued smoking following myocardial infarction (MI) is strongly associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Patients who continue to smoke may also engage in other behaviors that exacerbate risk. This study sought to characterize the risk profile of a national sample of individuals with previous MI who currently smoke. Data were taken from the 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (United States), with 4.2% of the sample reporting a past MI (N = 26,004). Participants were classified by smoking status (current/former/never) and compared on medical comorbidities and the clustering of modifiable behaviors relevant for secondary prevention (smoking, poor nutrition, problematic alcohol use, physical inactivity, medication adherence). Current smokers were more likely to report other comorbidities including stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, physical limitations, and poor mental health. Smokers were also less likely to report taking blood pressure and cholesterol medications, and less likely to attend cardiac rehabilitation (examined in a subset of the sample, N = 2181). Current smoking remained an independent predictor of other health-related behaviors even when controlling for age, sex, race, educational attainment, and other comorbidities. In the modifiable risk-factor behavior cluster analysis, the most common pattern among current smokers was having two risk factors, smoking plus one additional risk factor, whereas the most common pattern was zero risk factors among never or former-smokers. Physical inactivity was the most common additional risk factor across smoking statuses. Current smoking is associated with multiple comorbidities and should be considered a marker for a high-risk behavioral profile among patients with a history of MI.

Decline in physical activity in the weeks preceding sustained ventricular arrhythmia in women

Background

Heightened risk of cardiac arrest following physical exertion has been reported. Among patients with an implantable defibrillator, an appropriate shock for sustained ventricular arrhythmia was preceded by a retrospective self-report of engaging in mild-to-moderate physical activity. Previous studies evaluating the relationship between activity and sudden cardiac arrest lacked an objective measure of physical activity and women were often underrepresented.

Objective

To determine the relationship between physical activity, recorded by accelerometer in a wearable cardioverter-defibrillator (WCD), and sustained ventricular arrhythmia among female patients.

Methods

A dataset of female adult patients prescribed a WCD for a diagnosis of myocardial infarction or dilated cardiomyopathy was compiled from a commercial database. Curve estimation, to include linear and nonlinear interpolation, was applied to physical activity as a function of time (days before arrhythmia).

Results

Among women who received an appropriate WCD shock for sustained ventricular arrhythmia (N = 120), a quadratic relationship between time and activity was present prior to shock. Physical activity increased starting at the beginning of the 30-day period up until day -16 (16 days before the ventricular arrhythmia) when activity begins to decline.

Conclusion

For patients who received treatment for sustained ventricular arrhythmia, a decline in physical activity was found during the 2 weeks preceding the arrhythmic event. Device monitoring for a sustained decline in physical activity may be useful to identify patients at near-term risk of a cardiac arrest.

Comparison of device-based physical activity and sedentary behaviour following percutaneous coronary intervention in a cohort from Sweden and Australia: a harmonised, exploratory study

Background

Few studies have measured device-based physical activity and sedentary behaviour following a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), with no studies comparing these behaviours between countries using the same methods. The aim of the study was to compare device-based physical activity and sedentary behaviour, using a harmonised approach, following a PCI on-entry into centre-based cardiac rehabilitation in two countries.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted at two outpatient cardiac rehabilitation centres in Australia and Sweden. Participants were adults following a PCI and commencing cardiac rehabilitation (Australia n = 50, Sweden n = 133). Prior to discharge from hospital, Australian participants received brief physical activity advice (< 5 mins), while Swedish participants received physical activity counselling for 30 min. A triaxial accelerometer (Actigraph GT3X/ActiSleep) was used to objectively assess physical activity (light (LPA), moderate-to-vigorous (MVPA)) and sedentary behaviour. Outcomes included daily minutes of physical activity and sedentary behaviour, and the proportion and distribution of time spent in each behaviour.

Results

There was no difference in age, gender or relationship status between countries. Swedish (S) participants commenced cardiac rehabilitation later than Australian (A) participants (days post-PCI A 16 vs S 22, p < 0.001). Proportionally, Swedish participants were significantly more physically active and less sedentary than Australian participants (LPA A 27% vs S 30%, p < 0.05; MVPA A 5% vs S 7%, p < 0.01; sedentary behaviour A 68% vs S 63%, p < 0.001). When adjusting for wear-time, Australian participants were doing less MVPA minutes (A 42 vs S 64, p < 0.001) and more sedentary behaviour minutes (A 573 vs S 571, p < 0.001) per day. Both Swedish and Australian participants spent a large part of the day sedentary, accumulating 9.5 h per day in sedentary behaviour.

Conclusion

Swedish PCI participants when commencing cardiac rehabilitation are more physically active than Australian participants. Potential explanatory factors are differences in post-PCI in-hospital physical activity education between countries and pre-existing physical activity levels. Despite this, sedentary behaviour is high in both countries. Internationally, interventions to address sedentary behaviour are indicated post-PCI, in both the acute setting and cardiac rehabilitation, in addition to traditional physical activity and cardiac rehabilitation recommendations.

Trial registrations

Australia: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR): ACTRN12615000995572. Registered 22 September 2015, Sweden: World Health Organization Trial Registration Data Set: NCT02895451.

Association between attending exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation and cardiovascular risk factors at one-year post myocardial infarction

Background

Randomized trials confirm the benefits of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation on cardiovascular risk factors. Whether exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation provides the same favourable effects in real-life cardiac rehabilitation settings, in the modern era of myocardial infarction treatment, is less well known. We examined the association between attending exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation and improvements in cardiovascular risk factors at one-year post myocardial infarction in patients included in the Swedish heart disease registry, SWEDEHEART.

Methods

In this retrospective registry-based cohort study, we included 19 136 patients post myocardial infarction (75% men, 62.8±8.7 years) who were registered in SWEDEHEART between 2011 and 2013. The association between attending exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (43% participation rate) and changes in cardiovascular risk profile between baseline and one-year follow-up was assessed using multivariable regression analysis adjusting for age, comorbidities and medication.

Results

Attenders more often reported to have stopped smoking (men 64% vs 50%; women 64% vs 53%, p<0.001 for both, only smokers at baseline considered), be more physically active (men 3.9±2.5 vs 3.4±2.7 days/week; women 3.8±2.6 vs 3.0±2.8 days/week, p<0.001 for both) and achieved a slightly larger reduction in triglycerides (men -0.2±0.8 vs -0.1±0.9 mmol/L, p = 0.001; women -0.1±0.6 vs 0.0±0.8 mmol/L, p = 0.01) at one-year compared to non-attenders. Male attenders gained less weight (+0.0±5.7 vs +0.3±5.7 kg, p = 0.01) while female attenders achieved better lipid control (total cholesterol -1.2±1.4 vs -0.9±1.4 mmol/L, p<0.001; low-density lipoprotein -1.2±1.2 vs -0.9 ±1.2 mmol/L, p<0.001) compared to non-attenders.

Conclusions

In an unselected registry cohort of patients post myocardial infarction, compared to non-attenders those attending exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation achieved significantly larger improvements in cardiovascular risk factors at one-year after the acute event.

Subjective reports of physical activity levels and sedentary time prior to hospital admission can predict utilization of hospital care and all-cause mortality among patients with cardiovascular disease

Background

In prevention, sedentary behaviour and physical activity have been associated with risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. Less is known about associations with utilization of hospital care.

Aim

To investigate whether physical activity level and sedentary behaviour prior to cardiac ward admission can predict utilization of hospital care and mortality among patients with cardiovascular disease.

Methods

Longitudinal observational study including 1148 patients admitted and treated in cardiac wards in two hospitals. Subjective reports of physical activity levels and sedentary time prior to admission were collected during inpatient care and categorized as low, medium or high. The associations between physical activity level and sedentary time with hospital stay, readmission and mortality were analysed using linear, logistic and Cox regressions.

Results

Median hospital stay was 2.1 days. One higher step in the physical activity level, or lower sedentary time, was related to an approximately 0.9 days shorter hospital stay. Sixty per cent of patients were readmitted to hospital. The risk of being readmitted was lower for individuals reporting high physical activity and low sedentary time (odds ratios ranging between 0.44 and 0.91). A total of 200 deaths occurred during the study. Mortality was lower among those with high and medium physical activity levels and low sedentary time (hazard ratios ranging between 0.36 and 0.90).

Conclusion

Both physical activity level and sedentary time during the period preceding hospitalization for cardiac events were predictors of hospital utilization and mortality. This highlights the prognostic value of assessing patients’ physical activity and sedentary behaviour.

Intervention Treatment for Myocardial Infarction With Tai Chi: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy of Tai Chi (TC) in patients with myocardial infarction and provide up-to-date evidence for its application.

DATA SOURCES

Three English databases (PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) and 3 Chinese databases (China Knowledge Resource Integrated, Wanfang, Weipu) were screened for the time period between January 1, 1976 and May 31, 2019.

STUDY SELECTION

Seven randomized and controlled experiments were included.

DATA EXTRACTION

Two independent researchers under 2 independent advisors extracted and classified the data from all relevant studies based on the prespecified inclusion criteria and rules for data extraction.

DATA SYNTHESIS

A total of 615 patients were included in this study. The TC group was comprised of 294 patients, and the control group included 261 patients. The results revealed that TC has significant effects on the outcomes of the 6-minute walk (standardized mean difference, 1.30; 95% confidence interval, 0.50-2.11) and left ventricular ejection fraction (standardized mean difference, 1; 95% confidence interval, 0.43-1.57) compared with no or low-density exercise. Also, TC positively affected the quality of life, pro-B type natriuretic peptide, and short form-36. However, TC did not significantly affect activities of daily living (P=.060), sense of coherence-13 (P=.057) and N-terminal-pro-brain natriuretic peptide (P=.081). A moderate to high heterogeneity was observed across all comparisons.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with no exercise or other types of low-intensity physical activities, TC improved the outcome of the 6-minute walk, left ventricular ejection fraction, quality of life, and short form-36 scores, but reduced the outcome of pro-B type natriuretic peptide in patients with myocardial infarction. Therefore, TC could be an effective exercise option for cardiac rehabilitation. More research should be done to identify the effects of TC on academic functioning and to determine ways of motivating patients to use preventive TC interventions.

The dissimilarity between myocardial infarction patients' and spouses' illness perception and its relation to patients' lifestyle

AIM AND OBJECTIVES

To examine the dissimilarity between Chinese myocardial infarction (MI) patients' and spouses' illness perceptions (IPs), and to explore the relationship between patients' IP, differences in couples' IP and patients' lifestyle after discharge.

BACKGROUND

An individual's IP is affected and moderated by several factors, including the social context. One of the most influential members of the social network of patients is the spouse.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional design.

METHODS

From April 2016-April 2017, 111 MI patients and their spouses were recruited. Before discharge from hospital, revised Illness Perception Questionnaire was administered to MI patients and their spouses separately. Two months after discharge, patients' lifestyle was assessed using Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II. The manuscript was organised according to STROBE guidelines.

RESULTS

Spouses were more likely to believe that the illness would last for a long time, and patients perceived MI as being more controllable than their spouses did. The patient-spouse dissimilarity in the perception of consequences was negatively correlated with both nutrition and stress control behaviours. Patients in couples with more dissimilar perception of environmental factors as a cause were more likely to choose a healthy diet, while patients in couples with more dissimilar perceived treatment control were more able to control stress.

CONCLUSION

There are both similarities and dissimilarities between MI patients' and spouses' IP, and these dissimilarities contributed the majority of the explained variance in patients' lifestyle after discharge.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

We should consider both couples when examining how a patient copes with a chronic illness.

Leisure-Time Physical Activity and Mortality in CKD: A 1999–2012 NHANES Analysis

<b><i>Background:</i></b> For patients with CKD, evidence on the optimal dose of physical activity and possible harm with excessive exercise is limited. This study aimed to analyze the dose-response association between leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and mortality in those with CKD and explore the optimal dose or possible harm associated with increased levels of LTPA. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> 4,604 participants with CKD from the 1999 to 2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys with linked mortality data obtained through 2015 were classified into 6 groups: 0, 1–149, 150–299, 300–599, 600–899, and ≥900 min/week based on the total duration of the self-reported LTPA. Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine dose-response associations between LTPA and mortality. <b><i>Results:</i></b> During the median follow-up of 114 months, 1,449 (31%) all-cause deaths were recorded. Compared to the inactive group (0 min/week), we observed a 22% lower risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 0.78; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.63–0.97) among participants who performed 1–149 min per week for LTPA. The corresponding HRs and 95% CIs for all-cause mortality for 150–299 and 300–599 min/week of LTPA were 0.79 (0.64–0.97) and 0.74 (0.56–0.98). The benefit appeared to reach a threshold of a 43% (HR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.36–0.91) lower risk of all-cause mortality among individuals performing 600–899 min/week for LTPA. Importantly, for ≥900 min/week of LTPA, the continued benefits were observed (HR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44–0.87). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> LTPA was associated with lower mortality in those with CKD. The optimal dose was observed at the LTPA level of approximately 600–899 min/week, and there were still benefits rather than the excess risk with LTPA levels as high as ≥900 min/week. Therefore, clinicians should encourage inactive CKD patients to perform LTPA and do not need to discourage CKD patients who already adhere to long-term physical activity.

Physical activity is reduced prior to ventricular arrhythmias in patients with a wearable cardioverter defibrillator

INTRODUCTION

The utility of accelerometer-based activity data to identify patients at risk of sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF) has not previously been investigated. The aim of the current study was to determine whether physical activity is associated with manifesting spontaneous sustained VT/VF requiring emergent defibrillation in patients with an ejection fraction of ≤35%.

METHODS

Patients consecutively prescribed a wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) from April 2015 to May 2018 were included. Shock data and 4 weeks of physical activity data, beginning with the first week of WCD wear, were analyzed.

RESULTS

Based on the ROC curve outcome generated from 4057 patients, average daily step count during the first week accurately predicted those patients with sustained VT/VF compared to those without (shocked (n = 81) vs nonshocked (n = 3976) area under the curve, c-index = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.65-0.77, P < .001). An average cutoff of 3637 daily steps during week 1 separated the groups. Patients who averaged fewer than 3637 steps per day during the first week of WCD use were 4.3 times more likely to experience a shock than those who walked more than 3637 steps per day (OR = 4.29, 95% CI = 2.58-7.15, P < .001).

DISCUSSION

Average daily step counts are lower in WCD patients who manifest spontaneous VT/VF. Whether these findings represent a causal or correlational relationship, future studies to encourage a minimum daily step count in high-risk patients may impact the incidence of sustained VT/VF.

Increased Physical Activity Post-Myocardial Infarction Is Related to Reduced Mortality: Results From the SWEDEHEART Registry

Background With increasing survival rates among patients with myocardial infarction ( MI ), more demands are placed on secondary prevention. While physical activity ( PA ) efforts to obtain a sufficient PA level are part of secondary preventive recommendations, it is still underutilized. Importantly, the effect of changes in PA after MI is largely unknown. Therefore, we sought to investigate the effect on survival from changes in PA level, post- MI . Methods and Results Data from Swedish national registries were combined, totaling 22 227 patients with MI . PA level was self-reported at 6 to 10 weeks post- MI and 10 to 12 months post- MI . Patients were classified as constantly inactive, increased activity, reduced activity, and constantly active. Proportional hazard ratios were calculated. During 100 502 person-years of follow-up (mean follow-up time 4.2 years), a total of 1087 deaths were recorded. Controlling for important confounders (including left ventricular function, type of MI , medication, smoking, participation in cardiac rehabilitation program, quality of life, and estimated kidney function), we found lower mortality rates among constantly active (hazard ratio: 0.29, 95% confidence interval: 0.21-0.41), those with increased activity (0.41, 95% confidence interval: 0.31-0.55), and those with reduced activity (hazard ratio: 0.56, 95% confidence interval: 0.45-0.69) during the first year post- MI , compared with those being constantly inactive. Stratified analyses indicated strong effect of PA level among both sexes, across age, MI type, kidney function, medication, and smoking status. Conclusions The present article shows that increasing the PA level, compared with staying inactive the first year post- MI , was related to reduced mortality.