Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation and Aerobic Exercise Training on Arterial Stiffness and Autonomic Functions in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2012 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Artificial organs |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Doi | http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1525-1594.2012.01474.x |
| Field | Cardiovascular diseases incl. cardiosurgery |
| Keywords | Exercise; Electrical stimulation; Heart failure; Arterial stiffness; Heart rate variability |
| Attached files | |
| Description | Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) of leg muscles has been introduced in clinical practice as a rehabilitation (RHB) method in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF); however, the role of NMES on the reduction of arterial stiffness and autonomic disbalance in these patients has not yet been studied. Sixty-one patients with stable CHF (mean age 58.9 [2.1] years; mean ejection fraction 31 [4.2]%, New York Heart Association IIIII) were randomly assigned into two groups. Patients in (i) exercise training group (ET; n = 30) underwent 12 weeks of bicycle ET (3 x 40 min/week); (ii) group NMES (n = 31) performed 12 weeks of NMES of quadriceps and calf muscles (frequency 10 Hz, mode 20 s on20 s off, intensity 60 mA), 2 x 60 min/day. Noninvasive assessment of arterial stiffness was done using the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI). CAVI and heart rate variability (HRV) and were evaluated before and after RHB program. Both types of RHB reduced significantly CAVI (ET from 9.6 [0.2] to 8.9 [0.2], P < 0.012; NMES from 9.3 [0.2] to 8.7 [0.2], P < 0.013), increased high frequency (HF) component of HRV (+65.6%; P = 0.001) and decreased ratio of low frequency (LF) component with HF component (LF/HF ratio) in group ET (-39.8%; P < 0.001). Changes of HRV parameters in group NMES were not significant; however, a marked tendency to autonomic stabilization was present. Both types of RHB led also to significant increase of (ET from 18.7 [0.7] to 20.8 [0.7] mL/kg/min, P < 0.004; NMES from 17.3 [0.7] to 19.0 [0.7] mL/kg/min, P < 0.001). ET or NMES has been shown to improve significantly arterial stiffness and to stabilize autonomic balance. |
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