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Koller A, Takács J. A Guideline for Guidelines: A Novel Method to Assess the Helpfulness of Medical Guidelines. J Clin Med 2024; 13:3783. [PMID: 38999349 PMCID: PMC11242354 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13133783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2024] [Revised: 06/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The recommendations included in medical guidelines (GLs) provide important help to medical professionals for making clinical decisions regarding the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases. However, there are no systematic methods to measure the helpfulness of GLs. Thus, we developed an objective assessment of GLs which indicates their helpfulness and quality. We hypothesized that a simple mathematical analysis of 'Recommendations' and 'Evidence' would suffice. Methods: As a proof of concept, a mathematical analysis was conducted on the '2020 European Society of Cardiology Guidelines on Sports Cardiology and Exercise in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease Guideline' (SCE-guideline). First, the frequencies of Classes of Recommendations (CLASS) and the Levels of Evidence (LEVEL) (n = 159) were analysed. Then, LEVEL areas under CLASS were calculated to form a certainty index (CI: -1 to +1). Results: The frequency of CLASS I ('to do') and CLASS III ('not to do') was relatively high in the SCE-guideline (52.2%). Yet, the most frequent LEVEL was C (41.2-83.8%), indicating only a relatively low quality of scientific evidence in the SCE-guideline. The SCE-guideline showed a relatively high CI (+0.57): 78.4% certainty and 21.6% uncertainty. Conclusions: The SCE-guideline provides substantial help in decision making through the recommendations (CLASS), while the supporting evidence (LEVEL) in most cases is of lower quality. This is what the newly introduced certainty index showed: a tool for 'quality control' which can identify specific areas within GLs, and can promote the future improvement of GLs. The newly developed mathematical analysis can be used as a Guideline for the Guidelines, facilitating the assessment and comparison of the helpfulness and quality of GLs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akos Koller
- Department of Physiology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
- Department of Morphology and Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Semmelweis University, H-1088 Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, HUN-REN-SE Cerebrovascular and Neurocognitive Disease Research Group, Semmelweis University, H-1094 Budapest, Hungary
- Research Center for Sports Physiology, Hungarian University of Sports Science, H-1123 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Johanna Takács
- Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Semmelweis University, H-1088 Budapest, Hungary
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2
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Reed KS, Frescoln AM, Keleher Q, Brellenthin AG, Kohut ML, Lefferts WK. Effects of aerobic exercise training on cerebral pulsatile hemodynamics in middle-aged adults with elevated blood pressure/stage 1 hypertension. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2024; 136:1376-1387. [PMID: 38601998 PMCID: PMC11368515 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00689.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Mechanisms behind the protective effects of aerobic exercise on brain health remain elusive but may be vascular in origin and relate to cerebral pulsatility. This pilot study investigated the effects of 12-wk aerobic exercise training on cerebral pulsatility and its vascular contributors (large artery stiffness, characteristic impedance) in at-risk middle-aged adults. Twenty-eight inactive middle-aged adults with elevated blood pressure or stage 1 hypertension were assigned to either moderate/vigorous aerobic exercise training (AET) for 3 days/wk or no-exercise control (CON) group. Middle cerebral artery (MCA) pulsatility index (PI), large artery (i.e., aorta, carotid) stiffness, and characteristic impedance were assessed via Doppler and tonometry at baseline, 6, and 12 wk, whereas cardiorespiratory fitness (V̇o2peak) was assessed via incremental exercise test and cognitive function via computerized battery at baseline and 12 wk. V̇o2peak increased 6% in AET and decreased 4% in CON (P < 0.05). Proximal aortic compliance increased (P = 0.04, partial η2 = 0.14) and aortic characteristic impedance decreased (P = 0.02, partial η2 = 0.17) with AET but not CON. Cerebral pulsatility showed a medium-to-large effect size increase with AET, although not statistically significant (P = 0.07, partial η2 = 0.11) compared with CON. Working memory reaction time improved with AET but not CON (P = 0.02, partial η2 = 0.20). Our data suggest 12-wk AET elicited improvements in central vascular hemodynamics (e.g., proximal aortic compliance and characteristic impedance) along with apparent, paradoxical increases in cerebral pulsatile hemodynamics.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We identify differential central versus cerebrovascular responses to 12 wk of aerobic exercise training in middle-aged adults. Although proximal aortic compliance and characteristic impedance improved after 12 wk of exercise, cerebral pulsatility tended to unexpectedly increase. These data suggest short-term aerobic exercise training may lead to more immediate benefits in the central vasculature, whereas longer duration exercise training may be required for beneficial changes in pulsatility within the cerebrovasculature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krista S Reed
- Department of Kinesiology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States
| | - Abby M Frescoln
- Department of Kinesiology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States
| | - Quinn Keleher
- Department of Kinesiology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States
| | | | - Marian L Kohut
- Department of Kinesiology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States
| | - Wesley K Lefferts
- Department of Kinesiology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States
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Napoli L, Semple S, McKune AJ. Training and Competition Loads in Women's Rugby Sevens Athletes: Are There Implications for Cardiovascular Health? Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2023; 18:894-900. [PMID: 37491014 DOI: 10.1123/ijspp.2023-0134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
National- and international-level rugby sevens athletes are exposed to high training and competition loads over the course of a competitive season. Research on load monitoring and body-system responses is widespread; however, the primary focus has been on optimizing performance rather than investigating or improving cardiovascular health. There is a degree of cardiovascular remodeling, as well as local and systemic inflammation, in response to excessive exercise. These responses are moderated by many factors including previous exercise exposure, current exercise intensity and duration, age, race, and gender, as well as sport-specific physiology. For these reasons, high-performing female rugby sevens athletes may have a unique cardiovascular risk profile different from males and other rugby codes. This review aimed to characterize the training and competition loads, as well as the anthropometric and physiological profiles, of female rugby sevens athletes; discuss the potential impacts these may have on the cardiovascular system; and provide recommendations on future research regarding the relationship between rugby sevens training and competition loads and cardiovascular health. Movement demands, competition formatting, and training routines could all contribute to adverse cardiovascular adaptations. Anthropometric data and physiological characteristics may also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Future research needs to adopt measures of cardiovascular health to obtain a greater understanding of cardiovascular profiles and risk factors in female rugby sevens athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Napoli
- University of Canberra Research Institute for Sport and Exercise, Bruce, ACT,Australia
| | - Stuart Semple
- University of Canberra Research Institute for Sport and Exercise, Bruce, ACT,Australia
| | - Andrew J McKune
- University of Canberra Research Institute for Sport and Exercise, Bruce, ACT,Australia
- School of Health Sciences, Biokinetics, Exercise and Leisure Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban,South Africa
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McKenna ZJ, Moralez G, Romero SA, Hieda M, Huang M, Cramer MN, Sarma S, MacNamara JP, Jaffery MF, Atkins WC, Foster J, Crandall CG. Cardiac remodeling in well-healed burn survivors after 6 months of unsupervised progressive exercise training. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2023; 134:405-414. [PMID: 36633867 PMCID: PMC9902219 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00630.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Aerobic exercise is important in the rehabilitation of individuals with prior burn injuries, but no studies have examined whether adult burn survivors demonstrate cardiac remodeling to long-term aerobic exercise training. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that 6 months of progressive exercise training improves cardiac magnetic resonance imaging-based measures of cardiac structure and function in well-healed burn survivors. Secondary analyses explored relations between burn surface area and changes in cardiac structure in the cohort of burn survivors. V̇o2peak assessments and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging were performed at baseline and following 6 months of progressive exercise training from 19 well-healed burn survivors and 10 nonburned control participants. V̇o2peak increased following 6 months of training in both groups (Control: Δ5.5 ± 5.8 mL/kg/min; Burn Survivors: Δ3.2 ± 3.6 mL/kg/min, main effect of training, P < 0.001). Left ventricle (LV) mass (Control: Δ1.7 ± 3.1 g/m2; Burn survivors: Δ1.8 ± 2.7 g/m2), stroke volume (Control: Δ5.8 ± 5.2 mL/m2; Burn Survivors: Δ2.8 ± 4.2 mL/m2), and ejection fraction (Control: Δ2.4 ± 4.0%; Burn Survivors: Δ2.2 ± 4.3%) similarly increased following 6 months of exercise training in both cohorts (main effect of training P < 0.05 for all indexes). LV end-diastolic volume increased in the control group (Δ6.5 ± 4.5 mL/m2) but not in the cohort of burn survivors (Δ1.9 ± 2.7 mL/m2, interaction, P = 0.040). Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that burn surface area had little to no effect on changes in ventricular mass or end-diastolic volumes in response to exercise training. Our findings provide initial evidence of physiological cardiac remodeling, which is not impacted by burn size, in response to exercise training in individuals with well-healed burn injuries.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Aerobic exercise is important in the rehabilitation of individuals with prior burn injuries, but no studies have examined whether adult burn survivors demonstrate cardiac remodeling to long-term aerobic exercise training. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that 6 months of progressive exercise training would improve cardiac magnetic resonance imaging-based measures of cardiac structure and function in well-healed burn survivors. Our findings highlight the ability of exercise training to modify cardiac structure and function in well-healed burn survivors and nonburned sedentary controls alike.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary J McKenna
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, Dallas, Texas
| | - Gilbert Moralez
- Department of Applied Clinical Research, School of Health Professions, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Steven A Romero
- Department of Physiology and Anatomy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas
| | | | - Mu Huang
- Office of Science, Medicine, and Health, American Heart Association, Dallas, Texas
| | - Matthew N Cramer
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, Dallas, Texas
| | - Satyam Sarma
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, Dallas, Texas
| | - James P MacNamara
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, Dallas, Texas
| | - Manall F Jaffery
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, Dallas, Texas
| | - Whitley C Atkins
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, Dallas, Texas
| | - Josh Foster
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, Dallas, Texas
| | - Craig G Crandall
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, Dallas, Texas
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Ding M, Li QF, Peng TH, Wang TQ, Yan HH, Tang C, Wang XY, Guo Y, Zheng L. Early life exercise training and inhibition of apoLpp mRNA expression to improve age-related arrhythmias and prolong the average lifespan in Drosophila melanogaster. Aging (Albany NY) 2022; 14:9908-9923. [PMID: 36470666 PMCID: PMC9831727 DOI: 10.18632/aging.204422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) places a heavy burden on older patients and the global healthcare system. A large body of evidence suggests that exercise training is essential in preventing and treating cardiovascular disease, but the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Here, we used the Drosophila melanogaster animal model to study the effects of early-life exercise training (Exercise) on the aging heart and lifespan. We found in flies that age-induced arrhythmias are conserved across different genetic backgrounds. The fat body is the primary source of circulating lipoproteins in flies. Inhibition of fat body apoLpp (Drosophila apoB homolog) demonstrated that low expression of apoLpp reduced the development of arrhythmias in aged flies but did not affect average lifespan. At the same time, exercise can also reduce the expression of apoLpp mRNA in aged flies and have a protective effect on the heart, which is similar to the inhibition of apoLpp mRNA. Although treatment of UAS-apoLppRNAi and exercise alone had no significant effect on lifespan, the combination of UAS-apoLppRNAi and exercise extended the average lifespan of flies. Therefore, we conclude that UAS-apoLppRNAi and exercise are sufficient to resist age-induced arrhythmias, which may be related to the decreased expression of apoLpp mRNA, and that UAS-apoLppRNAi and exercise have a combined effect on prolonging the average lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Ding
- Key Laboratory of Physical Fitness and Exercise Rehabilitation of Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Qiu Fang Li
- Key Laboratory of Physical Fitness and Exercise Rehabilitation of Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Tian Hang Peng
- Key Laboratory of Physical Fitness and Exercise Rehabilitation of Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Tong Quan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Physical Fitness and Exercise Rehabilitation of Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Han Hui Yan
- Key Laboratory of Physical Fitness and Exercise Rehabilitation of Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Chao Tang
- Key Laboratory of Physical Fitness and Exercise Rehabilitation of Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiao Ya Wang
- Key Laboratory of Physical Fitness and Exercise Rehabilitation of Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Yin Guo
- Key Laboratory of Physical Fitness and Exercise Rehabilitation of Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Lan Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Physical Fitness and Exercise Rehabilitation of Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
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Certainties and Uncertainties of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Athletes. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2022; 9:jcdd9100361. [PMID: 36286312 PMCID: PMC9604894 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd9100361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Prolonged and intensive exercise induces remodeling of all four cardiac chambers, a physiological process which is coined as the “athlete’s heart”. This cardiac adaptation, however, shows overlapping features with non-ischemic cardiomyopathies, such as dilated, arrhythmogenic and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, also associated with athlete’s sudden cardiac death. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is a well-suited, highly reproducible imaging modality that can help differentiate athlete’s heart from cardiomyopathy. CMR allows accurate characterization of the morphology and function of cardiac chambers, providing full coverage of the ventricles. Moreover, it permits an in-depth understanding of the myocardial changes through specific techniques such as mapping or late gadolinium enhancement. In this narrative review, we will focus on the certainties and uncertainties of the role of CMR in sports cardiology. The main aspects of physiological adaptation due to regular and intensive sports activity and the application of CMR in highly trained athletes will be summarized.
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Halasz G, Piepoli MF. Editor comments: Focus on Cardiac rehabilitation and exercise training. Eur J Prev Cardiol 2021; 28:687-689. [PMID: 34089585 DOI: 10.1093/eurjpc/zwab082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Geza Halasz
- Cardiac Unit, G. da Saliceto Hospital, AUSL Piacenza and University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Massimo F Piepoli
- Cardiac Unit, G. da Saliceto Hospital, AUSL Piacenza and University of Parma, Parma, Italy.,Institute of Life Sciences, Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy
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Castelletti S, Menacho K, Davies RH, Maestrini V, Treibel TA, Rosmini S, Manisty C, Kellman P, Moon JC. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: insights from extracellular volume mapping. Eur J Prev Cardiol 2021; 28:e39-e41. [PMID: 33693514 DOI: 10.1093/eurjpc/zwaa083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Castelletti
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Center for Cardiac Arrhythmias of Genetic Origin, via Pier Lombardi 22, 20135 Milan, Italy
| | - Katia Menacho
- St. Bartholomew's Hospital, Barts Heart Centre, W Smithfield, London EC1A 7BE, London, UK
| | - Rhodri H Davies
- St. Bartholomew's Hospital, Barts Heart Centre, W Smithfield, London EC1A 7BE, London, UK
| | - Viviana Maestrini
- Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrology, Anesthesiology & Geriatric Sciences, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Thomas A Treibel
- St. Bartholomew's Hospital, Barts Heart Centre, W Smithfield, London EC1A 7BE, London, UK
| | - Stefania Rosmini
- St. Bartholomew's Hospital, Barts Heart Centre, W Smithfield, London EC1A 7BE, London, UK
| | - Charlotte Manisty
- St. Bartholomew's Hospital, Barts Heart Centre, W Smithfield, London EC1A 7BE, London, UK
| | - Peter Kellman
- National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 31 Center Dr, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - James C Moon
- St. Bartholomew's Hospital, Barts Heart Centre, W Smithfield, London EC1A 7BE, London, UK
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