Exercise training improves exercise capacity in adult patients with a systemic right ventricle: a randomized clinical trial
Open Access
- 27 October 2011
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in European Heart Journal
- Vol. 33 (11), 1378-1385
- https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehr396
Abstract
To assess whether exercise training in adult patients with a systemic right ventricle (RV) improves exercise capacity and quality of life and lowers serum N-terminal prohormone brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels. Multi-centre parallel randomized controlled trial. Patients with a systemic RV due to congenitally or surgically corrected transposition of the great arteries. Fifty-four adult patients with a systemic RV, were randomized using unmarked opaque envelopes to an intervention group (n = 28) with three training sessions per week for 10 consecutive weeks, and a control group (n = 26). Randomization was stratified by participating centre. At baseline, and follow-up, we determined maximal exercise capacity (V'O2peak), serum NT-proBNP levels, and quality of life by means of the SF-36, and the TAAQOL Congenital Heart Disease questionnaires. The final analysis was performed by linear regression, taking into account the stratified randomization. Forty-six patients were analysed (male 50%, age 32 ± 11 years, intervention group n = 24, control group n = 22). Analysis at 10 weeks showed a significant difference in V'O2peak (3.4 mL/kg/min, 95% CI: 0.2 to 6.7; P = 0.04) and resting systolic blood pressure (−7.6 mmHg, 95% CI: −14.0 to −1.3; P = 0.03) in favour of the exercise group. No significant changes were found in serum NT-proBNP levels or quality of life in the intervention group or in the control group nor between groups. None of the patients in the intervention group had to discontinue the training programme due to adverse events. In adult patients with a systemic RV exercise training improve exercise capacity. We recommend to revise restrictive guidelines, and to encourage patients to become physically active. (Trial registration: The study was registered at http://trialregister.nl. Identifier: NTR1909.).Keywords
This publication has 34 references indexed in Scilit:
- Latest insights in therapeutic options for systemic right ventricular failure: a comparison with left ventricular failureHeart, 2008
- A Meta-Analysis of the Effect of Exercise Training on Left Ventricular Remodeling in Heart Failure Patients: The Benefit Depends on the Type of Training PerformedJournal of the American College of Cardiology, 2007
- Effects of short-term exercise training on symptoms and quality of life in patients with chronic atrial fibrillationInternational Journal of Cardiology, 2007
- Congenital Heart Disease in the General PopulationCirculation, 2007
- The effect of physical training in chronic heart failureEuropean Journal of Heart Failure, 2005
- The spectrum of adult congenital heart disease in Europe: morbidity and mortality in a 5 year follow-up periodEuropean Heart Journal, 2005
- Exercise and Heart FailureCirculation, 2003
- Effect of physical training in children and adolescents with congenital heart diseaseCardiology in the Young, 2000
- Randomized, Controlled Trial of Long-Term Moderate Exercise Training in Chronic Heart FailureCirculation, 1999
- Exercise training in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction. Hemodynamic and metabolic effects.Circulation, 1988