Left ventricular diastolic function: Effects of high‐intensity exercise after acute myocardial infarction

• Published in: Echocardiography (Mount Kisco, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2020-06, Vol.37 (6), p.858-866
• Main Authors: Lund, Joakim Schistad, Aksetøy, Inger‐Lise Aamot, Dalen, Håvard, Amundsen, Brage Høyem, Støylen, Asbjørn
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: diastolic dysfunction; Doppler tissue imaging; exercise; exercise echocardiography; stress echocardiography
• ISSN: 0742-2822; 1540-8175
• DOI: 10.1111/echo.14750

Objectives Reduced left ventricular (LV) diastolic function indicates poor prognosis after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Our aim was to study whether a twelve‐week high‐intensity interval training program could improve diastolic function in patients with a relatively recent AMI. Design Twenty‐eight patients (mean age 56 (SD 8) years) with a recent AMI performed high‐intensity interval training twice a week for 12 weeks. Each training session consisted of four 4‐minute bouts at 85%‐95% of peak heart rate, separated by 4‐minute active breaks. A cardiopulmonary exercise test was performed to determine peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak). Echocardiography was performed at rest and during an upright bicycle exercise test. Results There was a significant increase in mitral annulus early diastolic velocity (e′) at peak exercise (75 W) from baseline to follow‐up (7.9 (1.5) vs. 8.4 (1.7) cm/s, P = .012), but no change in e′ at rest (7.1 (1.9) vs. 7.3 (1.7) cm/s, P = .42). There was a significant increase in VO2peak (mean (SD), 35.2 (7.3) vs. 38.9 (7.4) ml/kg/min, P