P2560Cardiac rehabilitation effects on functional capacity of patients with artificial cardiac pacemakers: a randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Background: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a comprehensive and multidisciplinary intervention that improves functional capacity (FC), quality of life (QOL) and reduces morbidity and mortality of patients with cardiovascular diseases. Over the years, patients with artificial cardiac pacemakers (PM) present clinical and FC deterioration. Benefits of CR programs in patients with PM have not yet been described. Purpose: The objective of this study was to investigate the benefits of a 12 weeks CR program in patients with PM. Methods: The sample consisted of 45 patients with PM, randomized into two groups: control group (CG) with 23 patients and exercise group (EG) with 22 patients. Patients underwent a treadmill test (ET) for safety assessments and exercise programming, echocardiogram, one-repetition maximum (1RM) test and six-minute walk test (6MWT) at baseline and closure. EG performed CR 3 times a week, which included 5' of warm up, 40' of conditioning on treadmill, 10' of resisted exercises for major muscle groups, and 5' of cooling down; CG remained in their usual physical activities. All randomized patients with baseline data were included in the analysis on an intention to treat basis. Results: The sample was predominantly male (52% and 42% CG in EG), with a mean age of 64.0 (± 7.8) years in EG and 65.8 (±6.8) years in CG. Functional assessments at the end of CR showed a statistically significant improvement in exercise duration (p<0.001) and VO2est (p<0.005) in ET, on distance travelled (p<0.001) in 6MWT and 1RM test (p<0.001) (table 1). During CR period no complications prevented protocol completion. Conclusion: CR is well tolerated, safe and significantly improved functional capacity of patients with artificial pacemaker.