Exercise Therapy for Heart Failure Patients With ICD/CRT-D

Abstract

For heart failure patients, ICD/CRT-D is a useful device to treat severe arrhythmias and improve dyssynchrony. The number of implantation of these devices is gradually increasing in Japan. However, Exercise therapy for these patients are not enough now. Cardiac rehabilitation including exercise therapy improves exercise capacity, QOL and prognosis of heart failure patients, so it works even in ICD/CRT-D patients. In ICD patients, exercise therapy has proved to be safe and effective in Europe. And one recent study shows benefits of additional exercise training after CRT patients. On the other hands, it is important to prescribe exercise therapy considering to avoid inappropriate shock delivery. Some new ICD/CRT-D devices have special functions to evaluate heart failure status and exercise duration. It wil become useful tools to treat patients and to increase motivation to exercise of these patients. Exercise therapy for heart failure patients with ICD/CR-D will be encouraging and promising.