A randomized study of the effects of exercise training on patients with atrial fibrillation

TY - JOUR

T1 - A randomized study of the effects of exercise training on patients with atrial fibrillation

AU - Osbak, Philip Samuel

AU - Mourier, Malene

AU - Kjaer, Andreas

AU - Henriksen, Jens Henrik Sahl

AU - Kofoed, Klaus Fuglsang

AU - Jensen, Gorm Boje

N1 - Copyright © 2011 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

PY - 2011/12

Y1 - 2011/12

N2 - Background: Exercise training is beneficial in ischemic and congestive heart disease. However, the effect on atrial fibrillation (AF) is unknown. Methods: Forty-nine patients with permanent AF (age [mean ± SD], 70.2 ± 7.8 years; male-to-female ratio, 0.75; body mass index [mean ± SD], 29.7 ± 4.3 kg/m2) were randomized to 12-week aerobic exercise training or a control group. Exercise capacity, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), cardiac output, quality of life, and natriuretic peptides were measured. Cardiac output was measured at rest and during ergometer testing, and atrial natriuretic peptide and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide were measured before and after the training period. Quality of life was evaluated using the Short-Form 36 and Minnesota Living With Heart Failure (MLHF-Q) questionnaires. Results: Improved exercise capacity and 6MWT were observed in the active patients (P <.001), and at study end, there was a significant difference between the active patients and the controls (P =.002). Resting pulse decreased in the active patients (94.8 ± 22.4 to 86.3 ± 22.5 beats/min, P =.049) but remained unchanged in the controls. Cardiac output was unchanged from baseline to end-of-study period. The MLHF-Q score improved in the active group (21.1 ± 18.0 vs 15.4 ± 17.5, P =.03). Active patients showed progress in 3 of the 8 Short-Form 36 subscales: physical functioning (P =.02), general health perceptions (P =.001), and vitality (P =.02). Natriuretic peptides were unchanged. Conclusion: Twelve weeks of exercise training increased exercise capacity and 6MWT and decreased resting pulse rate significantly in patients with AF. Overall quality of life increased significantly as measured by the cardiology-related MLHF-Q. Cardiac output and natriuretic peptides were unchanged in both groups.

AB - Background: Exercise training is beneficial in ischemic and congestive heart disease. However, the effect on atrial fibrillation (AF) is unknown. Methods: Forty-nine patients with permanent AF (age [mean ± SD], 70.2 ± 7.8 years; male-to-female ratio, 0.75; body mass index [mean ± SD], 29.7 ± 4.3 kg/m2) were randomized to 12-week aerobic exercise training or a control group. Exercise capacity, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), cardiac output, quality of life, and natriuretic peptides were measured. Cardiac output was measured at rest and during ergometer testing, and atrial natriuretic peptide and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide were measured before and after the training period. Quality of life was evaluated using the Short-Form 36 and Minnesota Living With Heart Failure (MLHF-Q) questionnaires. Results: Improved exercise capacity and 6MWT were observed in the active patients (P <.001), and at study end, there was a significant difference between the active patients and the controls (P =.002). Resting pulse decreased in the active patients (94.8 ± 22.4 to 86.3 ± 22.5 beats/min, P =.049) but remained unchanged in the controls. Cardiac output was unchanged from baseline to end-of-study period. The MLHF-Q score improved in the active group (21.1 ± 18.0 vs 15.4 ± 17.5, P =.03). Active patients showed progress in 3 of the 8 Short-Form 36 subscales: physical functioning (P =.02), general health perceptions (P =.001), and vitality (P =.02). Natriuretic peptides were unchanged. Conclusion: Twelve weeks of exercise training increased exercise capacity and 6MWT and decreased resting pulse rate significantly in patients with AF. Overall quality of life increased significantly as measured by the cardiology-related MLHF-Q. Cardiac output and natriuretic peptides were unchanged in both groups.

KW - Aged

KW - Atrial Fibrillation

KW - Exercise

KW - Exercise Test

KW - Exercise Therapy

KW - Exercise Tolerance

KW - Female

KW - Humans

KW - Male

KW - Middle Aged

U2 - 10.1016/j.ahj.2011.09.013

DO - 10.1016/j.ahj.2011.09.013

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 22137082

SN - 0002-8703

VL - 162

SP - 1080

EP - 1087

JO - American Heart Journal

JF - American Heart Journal

IS - 6

ER -