Cardio-respiratory responses of the 6-minute walk test in patients with refractory heart failure during the preoperative period for heart transplant surgery

Background: The six-minute walk test (6MWT) has been used to assess functional capacity, clinical status and prognosis. There are a very few descriptions in the literature on the safety and metabolic impact of the test, especially in patients with severe heart failure, awaiting cardiac transplantation. Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess the cardiovascular responses and correlate the performance on the 6MWT with clinical status. Method: From 15 initial candidates, twelve patients (10 males) aged 52 ± 8 years were submitted to a comprehensive clinical evaluation. The patients performed the 6MWT with electrocardiographic and perceived exertion monitoring in addition to determination of blood lactate concentration. Patients were followed up for 12 months. Results: The patients walked 399.4±122.5 meters, reaching a perceived exertion (PE) of 14.3±1.5 and an increase of 34% in resting heart rate. Two patients exhibited a greater severity of arrhythmia prior to the 6MWT, which did not increase during exertion. Four patients exhibited a significant increase in blood lactate levels (>5 mmol/dL) and three interrupted the test prematurely. The distance walked (D) revealed a correlation with the ejection fraction (%) and functional classification (NYHA). After 12 months of follow up, three patients died and seven were re-hospitalized due to heart failure decompensation. Conclusion: Clinical and electrocardiographic behavior suggests that the 6MWT is safe, but may be considered of high intensity for some patients with severe heart failure. Variables related to the performance on the 6MWT may be associated to worsening clinical status in this population

Perfil da fisioterapia na reabilitação cardiovascular no Brasil

This exploratory study aimed at knowing physical therapy practices in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) services in Brazilian hospitals, as well as the professional profile and scholarly background of physical therapists who work therein, besides getting information on Pt services management. A websurvey was carried out using a 52-item questionnaire consisting in: 25 questions on the model of action; 14 on procedures performed during evaluations; 3 on scholarly and professional profiles; 6 on administration of the CR service, plus four open-ended questions for suggestions. In about a third of the 67 respondent institutions, there is no CR physical therapy; among those where there is one, 63% of the services begin CR in the pre-intervention period. Physical therapy monitoring in the post-intervention period is performed in 74% of services. In phase III of CR, 65% of patients undergo supervised treatment. Physical therapists are the main professionals linked to the administration in 32% of the services (n=18), and most of them have master degrees. This study points to the need to further studying the subject, so as to help service standardization and the production of guidelines for CR physical therapy.O estudo visou conhecer o modelo de atuação da fisioterapia em reabilitação cardiovascular (RC) no Brasil, bem como o perfil profissional do fisioterapeuta que trabalha com RC e o perfil administrativo dos serviços de RC. Foram obtidas 67 respostas a um questionário disponibilizado na internet durante 2005, consistindo em 52 perguntas fechadas sobre a RC: 25 questões referentes ao modelo de atuação, 14 aos procedimentos de avaliação, 3 ao perfil acadêmico e profissional da equipe, 6 à administração do serviço de RC e 4 questões abertas para sugestões. A intervenção fisioterápica (IF) em RC está presente em cerca de dois terços dos serviços estudados; dentre os que oferecem IF em RC, 63% iniciam a reabilitação no período pré-intervenção. O acompanhamento fisioterápico no pós-intervenção é realizado em 71% dos serviços nas unidades de terapia intensiva e em 75% nas unidades de internação. Na fase III da RC, 65% dos serviçoc oferecem tratamento supervisionado aos pacientes. O fisioterapeuta é o principal profissional ligado à administração do serviço e a maioria apresenta formação em nível de especialização. O presente estudo evidencia a necessidade de outros estudos sobre o tema, visando a padronização dos serviços e a criação de manuais de conduta

Functional resistance training superiority over conventional training in metabolic syndrome: A randomized clinical trial

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a growing epidemic related with higher values of blood pressure (BP) and autonomic dysfunction. Scientific evidence has been indicating that functional resistance training (FRT) is superior over conventional (CRT) for muscle fatigue and pain, yet its effects on autonomic modulation (AM), BP and heart rate in MetS are unclear. We theorized that FRT can be superior to CRT in MetS patients because of larger muscle activation. This study compares FRT and CRT on AM, blood pressure, heart rate and muscle strength. Thirty-eight sex and age matched individuals (40 to 60 years) were randomized for FRT or CRT, with training intensity varying gradually from 30%–100% of one maximal repetition test (1MR), 3 times/week for 30 sessions. All outcomes were evaluated at baseline and post training. AM was assessed by heart rate variability (mean RR, RMSSD, SDNN, LF, HF, TINN, RRtri, SD1 and SD2). BP (mmHg) was obtained by cuff measures. Muscle strength was assessed by 1MR. An increase in cardiac parasympathetic activity was observed in individuals allocated to FRT in comparison to CRT group (RMSSD ∆40%; SD1 ∆39%; and HF ms2 ∆80%). Moreover, just FRT was capable of reducing BP post intervention (SBP from 129.21 ± 19.02 to 118.94 ± 14.14 mmHg, p < .009,/d/ = 0.49; DBP from 85.26 ± 11.48 to 77.76 ± 8.93 mmHg, p < .01,/d/ = 0.51). Both groups had a similar increase in muscle strength and no changes between HR. Progressive FRT was more beneficial to CRT regarding AM, increasing vagal activity, and reducing blood pressure in MetS individuals

Aerobic exercise effect on prognostic markers for systolic heart failure patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

From previous systematic reviews and meta-analyses, there is consensus about the positive effect of exercise training on exercise capacity for systolic heart failure (HF); however, the effect on actual prognostic markers such as NTproBNP and minute ventilation/carbon dioxide production (VE/VCO2) slope has not been evaluated. The primary aim of the proposed study is to determine the effect of aerobic exercise training (AEX) on the VE/VCO2 slope and NTproBNP. The following databases (up to February 30, 2013) were searched with no language limitations: CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library 2013, issue 2), MEDLINE (from January 1966), EMBASE (from January 1980), and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) (from January 1929). We screened reference lists of articles and also conducted an extensive hand search of the literature. Randomized controlled trials of exercise-based interventions with 2-month follow-up or longer compared to usual medical care or placebo were included. The study population comprised adults aged between 18 and 65 years, with evidence of chronic systolic heart failure (LVEF  300 pg/ml). Two review authors independently extracted data on study design, participants, interventions, and outcomes. We assessed the risk of bias using PEDro scale. We calculated mean differences (MD) or standardized mean differences between intervention and control groups for outcomes with sufficient data; for other outcomes, we described findings from individual studies. Eight studies involving a total of 408 participants met the inclusion criteria across the NTproBNP (5 studies with 191 patients) and VE/VCO2 slope (4 studies with 217 patients). Aerobic exercise significantly improved NTproBNP by a MD of −817.75 [95 % confidence interval (CI) −929.31 to −706.19]. Mean differences across VE/VCO2 slope were −6.55 (95 % CI −7.24 to −5.87). Those patients’ characteristics and exercise were similar (frequency = 3–5 times/week; duration = 20–50 min/day; intensity = 60–80 % of VO2 peak) on the included studies. Moreover, the risk of bias across all studies was homogeneous (PEDro scale = 7–8 points). However, based on the statistical analysis, the heterogeneity among the studies was still high, which is related to the variable characteristics of the studies. Aerobic exercise may be effective at improving NTproBNP and the VE/VCO2 slope in systolic HF patients, but these effects are limited to a specific HF population meeting specific inclusion criterion in a limited number of studies. Future randomized controlled studies including diastolic and HF overleap with pulmonary diseases are needed to better understand the exact influence of AEX

Inspiratory Muscle Training in Phase 1 and 2 Postoperative Cardiac Rehabilitation Following Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery: Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

This study aimed to determine the effects of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on exercise capacity, respiratory muscle strength, length of hospital stay (LOS), and quality of life (QOL) following coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The search was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and the Cochrane Handbook and included the databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, and CENTRAL. The review included randomized controlled trials utilizing IMT during phase 1 or 2 postoperative cardiac rehabilitation (PoCR) versus alternative treatment (active or passive control) in patients following coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Fifteen studies were included (11 phase 1 studies, 4 phase 2 studies) with no reported adverse events. In phase 1 PoCR, IMT reduced the LOS (-1.02 days; 95% CI = -2.00 to -0.03) and increased exercise capacity (6-minute walk distance [6MWD]).(+75.46 m; 95% CI = 52.34 to 98.57), and maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) (10.46 cm H2O; 95% CI = 2.83 to 18.10), but had no effect on maximal expiratory pressure. In phase 2 PoCR, IMT increased 6MWD (45.84 m; 95% CI = 10.89 to 80.80), MIP (-23.19 cm H2O; 95% CI = -31.31 to -15), maximal expiratory pressure (20.18 cm H2O; 95% CI = 9.60 to 30.76), and QOL (-11.17; 95% CI = -17.98 to -4.36), with no effect on peak oxygen uptake. There was a high risk of bias for MIP (75% of the phase 1 studies) and 6MWT (1 of 4 phase 2 studies). The quality of the evidence ranged from very low to moderate. IMT significantly improves exercise capacity, respiratory muscle strength, LOS, and QOL in phase 1 and 2 PoCR. IMT may benefit patients during phase 1 and 2 of PoCR, considering the safety, low cost, and potential benefits

Current insights of inspiratory muscle training on the cardiovascular system: a systematic review with meta-analysis

Background: Cardiorespiratory limitation is a common hallmark of cardiovascular disease which is a key component of pharmacological and exercise treatments. More recently, inspiratory muscle training (IMT) is becoming an effective complementary treatment with positive effects on muscle strength and exercise capacity. We assessed the effectiveness of IMT on the cardiovascular system through autonomic function modulation via heart rate variability and arterial blood pressure. Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified from searches of The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE and EMBASE to November 2018. Citations, conference proceedings and previous reviews were included without population restriction, comparing IMT intervention to no treatment, placebo or active control. Results: We identified 10 RCTs involving 267 subjects (mean age range 51–71 years). IMT programs targeted maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) and cardiovascular outcomes, using low ( n =6) and moderate to high intensity ( n =4) protocols, but the protocols varied considerably (duration: 1–12 weeks, frequency: 3–14 times/week, time: 10–30 mins). An overall increase of the MIP (cmH 2 O) was observed (−27.57 95% CI −18.48, −37.45, I 2 =64%), according to weighted mean difference (95%CI), and was accompanied by a reduction of the low to high frequency ratio (−0.72 95% CI−1.40, −0.05, I 2 =50%). In a subgroup analysis, low- and moderate-intensity IMT treatment was associated with a reduction of the heart rate (HR) (−7.59 95% CI −13.96, −1.22 bpm, I 2 =0%) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (−8.29 [−11.64, −4.94 mmHg], I 2 =0%), respectively. Conclusion: IMT is an effective treatment for inspiratory muscle weakness in several populations and could be considered as a complementary treatment to improve the cardiovascular system, mainly HR and DBP. Further research is required to better understand the above findings

Effect of electrical stimulation on muscle atrophy and spasticity in patients with spinal cord injury - a systematic review with meta-analysis

This work is a systematic review with meta-analysis OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the effect of electrical stimulation (ES) on skeletal muscle volume and spasticity in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). University of Brasilia, Brazil METHODS: Searches were conducted of the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, CINAHL, PEDro, PsycINFO and EMBASE electronic databases for relevant articles published up to June 2018. No restrictions were imposed regarding the year of publication. The inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials involving adults with SCI comparing ES to an active or passive control. Two independent reviewers extracted the data from the selected studies and methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro scale. The initial search led to the retrieval of 164 studies, seven of which met the eligibility criteria, but only six were included in the meta-analysis. The six studies comprised 104 patients with complete or incomplete SCI. In the two studies that investigated the use of ES on muscle volume of the lower limbs, the overall effect was statistically significant in patients with acute SCI (mean difference: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.04 to 1.69; p < 0.04). Among the four studies that examined the use of ES for spasticity of the lower limb, the overall effect was non-significant (mean difference: 0.55; 95% CI: -0.31 to 1.41; p = 0.21). Electrical stimulation was found to be an effective method for increasing muscle volume in SCI patients, but had no effect on spasticity. Further investigation of the effect of ES on spasticity in SCI is needed