A randomized trial of exercise training in patients with coronary heart disease

V. Froelicher, D. Jensen, F. Genter, M. Sullivan, M. D. McKirnan, K. Witztum, J. Scharf, M. L. Strong and W. Ashburn

In order to determine whether or not regular exercise could alter myocardial perfusion or function, we randomized 146 male volunteers with stable coronary heart disease to either a supervised exercise program (n = 72) or to a usual care program (n = 74). Subjects underwent exercise tests initially and one year later. Significant differences between the two groups included improved aerobic capacity, thallium ischemia scores, and ventricular function in the exercise intervention group. It was not possible to classify the conditions of patients as to the likelihood of improvement or deterioration. This study demonstrated changes in myocardial perfusion and function in a select group of middle-aged men with coronary heart disease who underwent a medically appropriate exercise program lasting one year, but these changes were relatively modest.

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES

Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Chronic Stable Angina: Treatment
Fihn et al.
ANN INTERN MED 2001;135:616-632.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Angiotensin II receptor blockade attenuates the deleterious effects of exercise training on post-MI ventricular remodelling in rats
Jain et al.
Cardiovasc Res 2000;46:66-72.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

ACC/AHA/ACP-ASIM guidelines for the management of patients with chronic stable angina: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines (Committee on Management of Patients With Chronic Stable Angina)
Gibbons et al.
J Am Coll Cardiol 1999;33:2092-2197.
FULL TEXT  

Long-term physical exercise and quantitatively assessed human coronary collateral circulation
Senti et al.
J Am Coll Cardiol 1998;32:49-56.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Attenuation of Unfavorable Remodeling by Exercise Training in Postinfarction Patients With Left Ventricular Dysfunction : Results of the Exercise in Left Ventricular Dysfunction (ELVD) Trial*
Giannuzzi et al.
Circulation 1997;96:1790-1797.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Effect of Exercise Training on Myocardial Remodeling in Patients With Reduced Left Ventricular Function After Myocardial Infarction : Application of Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Dubach et al.
Circulation 1997;95:2060-2067.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Interaction Between Exercise Training and Ejection Fraction in Predicting Prognosis After a First Myocardial Infarction
Specchia et al.
Circulation 1996;94:978-982.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

North of England evidence based guidelines development project: summary version of evidence based guideline for the primary care management of stable angina
North of England Stable Angina Guideline Developme
BMJ 1996;312:827-832.
FULL TEXT