Valéria Papa

A Home-Based Walking Program Improves Erectile Dysfunction in Men With an Acute Myocardial Infarction

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of a home-based walking program on erectile function and the relation between functional capacity and erectile dysfunction (ED) in patients with recent myocardial infarctions. Patients with acute myocardial infarctions deemed to be at low cardiovascular risk were randomized into 2 groups: (1) a home-based walking group (n = 41), instructed to participate in a progressive outdoor walking program, and (2) a control group (n = 45), receiving usual care. Functional capacity was determined by the 6-minute walk test and evaluation of sexual function by the International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire; the 2 tests were performed at hospital discharge and 30 days later. In the overall cohort, 84% of patients reported previous ED at hospital discharge. After 30 days, ED had increased by 9% in the control group in relation to baseline (p = 0.08). However, the home-based walking group had a significant decrease of 71% in reported ED (p <0.0001). The 6-minute walk distance was statistically significant higher in the home-based walking group compared with the control group (p = 0.01). There was a significant negative correlation between 6-minute walk distance and ED 30 days after hospital discharge (r = -0.71, p <0.01). In conclusion, an unsupervised home-based progressive walking program led to significant improvements in functional capacity in men at low cardiovascular risk after recent acute myocardial infarctions. In addition, this intervention demonstrated a link between functional capacity and exercise training and erectile function improvement.

Heart rate autonomic responses during deep breathing and walking in hospitalised patients with chronic heart failure

Objective. To evaluate the acute effect of physiotherapy (deep breathing exercises and walking) on heart rate variability in patients hospitalised with chronic heart failure (CHF). Design. Ten males with CHF (57 ± 7 years) and 10 healthy controls (59 ± 9 years) were included. Heart rate and RR intervals were recorded in the following conditions: supine, seated, during deep breathing exercises and during and after walking. Heart rate variability was analysed by linear and non-linear methods (α2, Mean HR, rMSSD, SDNN and ApEn). Results. Patients presented significantly lower SDNN (12.4 ± 4 versus 26 ± 8 ms), rMSSD (18.2 ± 16.2 versus 25 ± 19.5 ms) and ApEn (9.9 ± 10 versus 16.68 ± 22.6) during the walking compared to controls (p < 0.05). In addition, mean HR was significantly higher during and after walking for patients with CHF compared to controls (103 ± 8 versus 80 ± 2 bpm and 90 ± 9 versus 68 ± 2 bpm, respectively). Patients with CHF demonstrated a significant reduction of α2 during deep breathing (0.78 ± 0.1) when compared to the seated position (1.08 ± 0.1) and walking (1.15 ± 0.2, p < 0.05). Additionally, rMSSD index increased during deep breathing when compared to walking in both groups. Conclusion. Deep breathing exercises and walking are safe and promote beneficial effects on heart rate variability in patients hospitalised for CHF.

High-Intensity Inspiratory Protocol Increases Heart Rate Variability in Myocardial Revascularization Patients

Objective: To evaluate heart rate variability during an inspiratory muscle endurance protocol at three different load levels [30%, 60% and 80% of maximal inspiratory pressure], in patients who had previously undergone coronary artery bypass grafting. Methods: Nineteen late postoperative myocardial revascularization patients participating in a cardiovascular rehabilitation program were studied. Maximal inspiratory pressure maneuvers were performed. An inspiratory muscle endurance protocol at 30%, 60% and 80% of maximal inspiratory pressure was applied for four minutes each, in random order. Heart rate and RR intervals were recorded and heart rate variability was analyzed by time (RMSSD-the mean of the standard deviations for all R-R intervals, and RMSM-root-mean square differences of successive R-R intervals) and frequency domains indices (high and low frequency) in normalized units. ANOVA for repeated measurements was used to compare heart rate variability indices and Student t-test was used to compare the maximal inspiratory pressure and maximal expiratory pressure values. Results: Heart rate increased during performance of maximal respiratory pressures maneuvers, and the maximal inspiratory pressure and maximal expiratory pressure mean values were significantly lower than predicted values (P<0.05). RMSSD increased significantly at 80% in relation to rest and 30% of maximal inspiratory pressure and RMSM decreased at 30% and 60% of maximal inspiratory pressure in relation to rest (P<0.05). Additionally, there was significant and progressive decrease in low frequency and increase in high frequency at 30%, 60% and 80% of maximal inspiratory pressure in relation to the resting condition. Conclusion: These results suggest that respiratory muscle training at high intensities can promote greater parasympathetic activity and it may confer important benefits during a rehabilitation program in post-coronary artery bypass grafting.

Aerobic Training after Myocardial Infarction: Remodeling Evaluated by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance

Background Numerous studies show the benefits of exercise training after myocardial infarction (MI). Nevertheless, the effects on function and remodeling are still controversial. Objectives To evaluate, in patients after (MI), the effects of aerobic exercise of moderate intensity on ventricular remodeling by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). Methods 26 male patients, 52.9 ± 7.9 years, after a first MI, were assigned to groups: trained group (TG), 18; and control group (CG), 8. The TG performed supervised aerobic exercise on treadmill twice a week, and unsupervised sessions on 2 additional days per week, for at least 3 months. Laboratory tests, anthropometric measurements, resting heart rate (HR), exercise test, and CMR were conducted at baseline and follow-up. Results The TG showed a 10.8% reduction in fasting blood glucose (p = 0.01), and a 7.3-bpm reduction in resting HR in both sitting and supine positions (p < 0.0001). There was an increase in oxygen uptake only in the TG (35.4 ± 8.1 to 49.1 ± 9.6 mL/kg/min, p < 0.0001). There was a statistically significant decrease in the TG left ventricular mass (LVmass) (128.7 ± 38.9 to 117.2 ± 27.2 g, p = 0.0032). There were no statistically significant changes in the values of left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) and ejection fraction in the groups. The LVmass/EDV ratio demonstrated a statistically significant positive remodeling in the TG (p = 0.015). Conclusions Aerobic exercise of moderate intensity improved physical capacity and other cardiovascular variables. A positive remodeling was identified in the TG, where a left ventricular diastolic dimension increase was associated with LVmass reduction.

Use of the Wasserman equation in optimization of the duration of the power ramp in a cardiopulmonary exercise test: a study of Brazilian men

This study aimed to analyze the agreement between measurements of unloaded oxygen uptake and peak oxygen uptake based on equations proposed by Wasserman and on real measurements directly obtained with the ergospirometry system. We performed an incremental cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET), which was applied to two groups of sedentary male subjects: one apparently healthy group (HG, n=12) and the other had stable coronary artery disease (n=16). The mean age in the HG was 47±4 years and that in the coronary artery disease group (CG) was 57±8 years. Both groups performed CPET on a cycle ergometer with a ramp-type protocol at an intensity that was calculated according to the Wasserman equation. In the HG, there was no significant difference between measurements predicted by the formula and real measurements obtained in CPET in the unloaded condition. However, at peak effort, a significant difference was observed between oxygen uptake (V˙O2)peak(predicted)and V˙O2peak(real)(nonparametric Wilcoxon test). In the CG, there was a significant difference of 116.26 mL/min between the predicted values by the formula and the real values obtained in the unloaded condition. A significant difference in peak effort was found, where V˙O2peak(real)was 40% lower than V˙O2peak(predicted)(nonparametric Wilcoxon test). There was no agreement between the real and predicted measurements as analyzed by Lin’s coefficient or the Bland and Altman model. The Wasserman formula does not appear to be appropriate for prediction of functional capacity of volunteers. Therefore, this formula cannot precisely predict the increase in power in incremental CPET on a cycle ergometer.