THE INFLUENCE OF SHORT-TERM EXERCISE TRAINING ON ARTERIAL BLOOD PRESSURE AND QT DISPERSION IN PATIENCE AFTER SURGICAL AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to establish the influence of short-term exercise training on arterial blood pressure and QT dispersion in patients after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Design and method: The study involved 103 patients after SAVR, in the sinus rhythm without AV blocks or branch blocks. Average age of patients was 60.8 years. Patients were randomly divided into the physical training group (training group: 85 patients) and control group (non-training group: 18 patients). Patients were similar as to age and baseline stress test duration. In all subjects clinical examination, standard ECG and exercise test on treadmill according to Bruce protocol were performed and after that training group patients were included in physical training program for three weeks. Training group patients were instructed to follow a training program using the bicycle ergometer (10 min, 2 times a day), gymnastic exercises and walking. The patients continued to take the same medicaments in same doses. From standard ECG corrected QT dispersion (QTdc) was calculated. Results: After three weeks, we have found significant reduction of QTdc from 79.1 ± 19.7 to 70.8 ± 20.4 ms; p < 0.02 in the training group. Also, in the training group, we have found significant reduction of heart rate from 78.6 ± 7.1 to 65.9 ± 6.1 beats/min (p < 0.001), of systolic blood pressure from 137.4 ± 13.1 to 127.7 ± 11.5 mmHg (p < 0.025), of diastolic blood pressure from 87.8 ± 8.9 to 84.2 ± 7.5 mmHg (p < 0.01) and of double product from 11996.7 ± 1162.4 to 10518.8 ± 794.3 beat/min x mmHg; p < 0.001. In contrast, the non-training group showed no significant changes. Conclusions: The study showed that short-term exercise training have favourable effects on arterial blood pressure and QT dispersion in patients after SAVR. Physical training led to the significant decrease of myocardial oxygen uptake at rest and probably decreased the possibility of arrhythmia events in patients after SAVR.