Effects of Exercise Training on Exercise Capacity and Quality of Life in Patients with a Left Ventricular Assist Device: A Preliminary Randomized Controlled Trial.
Hayes K, Leet AS, et al.Journal of Heart & Lung Transplantation, 31(7): 729-734, 2012.
Aims
To determine the effects of exercise training on exercise capacity and quality of life in patients with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD).
Interventions
Exercise training consisted of 8 weeks of gym-based aerobic and strengthening exercises 3 times a week with a progressive mobilization program versus completed mobilization alone.
Participants
14 patients who underwent LVAD insertion as a bridge to heart transplantation.
Outcomes
Exercise capacity measured as maximal exercise capacity and sub-maximal exercise capacity. Variables of maximal exercise capacity included oxygen consumption, peak oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production; Sub-maximal exercise capacity measurement was 6-minute walk distance. Quality of life was measured by the short form 36-item assessment.
Follow-up
8 weeks
CET Conclusions
In this small study of 14 patients who had undergone LVAD insertion as bridge to heart transplantation supervised exercise training was both feasible and safe and there was a suggestion that their exercise capacity and quality of life did improve. There would need to be a much larger trial of this approach to patients with an LVAD waiting for a heart transplant.
Data analysis
Strict intention-to-treat analysis
Trial registration
ACTRN12609000742279 (ACTRN)