MedPath

Individualized Exercise Training Based on the Heart Rate Variability in Coronary Heart Disease Patient

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Coronary Artery Disease
Interventions
Other: Standardized exercise training
Other: HRV-guided exercise training
Registration Number
NCT04971707
Lead Sponsor
Montreal Heart Institute
Brief Summary

The objective of this project is to assess the effectiveness of a new modality of prescribing the intensity of physical exercise in cardiovascular rehabilitation programs according to physiological criteria (heart rate variability measured every morning) in comparison to a standard non-individualized program.

Detailed Description

In coronary artery disease patients, cardiovascular rehabilitation (CR) reduces cardiac mortality by 30% when compared to usual drug therapy without CR. Cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2peak) is the most powerful independent prognostic marker of longevity. An improvement in VO2peak is also associated with better cognitive performance in the elderly.

The effectiveness of CR varies between patients. About 25% of coronary disease patients do not improve their VO2peak after taking part of a CR program. The risk of acute event for those "non-responder" patients, (i.e. not increasing their VO2peak), is high with a mortality rate three times higher compared to "responder" individuals.

It seems that the autonomic nervous system (ANS) is playing an important role in exercise training-induced physiological responses. Based on this, it has been proposed in healthy subjects to prescribe each exercise session according to ANS parameters (via heart rate variability, HRV). It has been suggested that high-intensity exercise when HRV parameters are stable, results in better adaptations to training. Conversely, recovery sessions when HRV is impaired seem necessary.

44 participants with stable coronary artery diseases, and taking part in a CR program will be included in this study. All participants will have signed a written consent form before taking part in the study. Patients will be randomly assigned to one of the 2 following study arms: 1/ standard exercise training ; 2/ Heart Rate Variability-guided exercise training.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
48
Inclusion Criteria
  • Coronary artery disease patient from the Montreal Heart Institute
  • Age> 18 years old
  • Referred to the EPIC center in a cardiovascular rehabilitation program due to stable angina pectoris, acute coronary syndrome (with or without ST segment elevation) or after complete coronary revascularization (primary or elective) by Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.
  • Able to perform a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise stress test in accordance with current cardiovascular rehabilitation recommendations.
  • Able to read, understand and sign the information and consent form.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Any absolute and relative contraindication to the maximal exercise test and / or physical activity.
  • Recent cardiovascular events (cardiac decompensation or treatment with positive inotropic drugs or angioplasty less than 10 days, cardiac surgery less than 1 month, valve disease requiring surgical correction, active myopericarditis, severe ventricular arrhythmias not stabilized under treatment).
  • Revascularization by coronary artery bypass grafting
  • Atrial fibrillation
  • Renal failure
  • Heart failure
  • Diabetes

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
standard exercise trainingStandardized exercise trainingThe physical exercises intervention will include a standardized aerobic exercises training, three sessions per week for 3 months.
HRV-guided exercise trainingHRV-guided exercise trainingThe physical exercises intervention will include an individualized aerobic exercises training, three sessions per week for 3 months.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in cardiorespiratory fitnessBaseline and post-intervention at 3 months

Maximum incremental cardiopulmonary exercise test (VO2 max (ml.kg.min))

Responders and non-responders proportionBaseline and post-intervention at 3 months

Proportion in each group (%) Responders will be defined as an increased of 5% of VO2max.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in executive functionsBaseline and post-intervention at 3 months

Validated remote version of neuropsychological tests and iPad tests (Composite Z-score).

Parasympathetic activityBaseline and post-intervention at 3 months

High Frequency power ( HF) of heart rate variability (ms2)

heart rate variabilityBaseline and post-intervention at 3 months

Global heart rate variability : standard deviation of the normal sinus beats (SDNN, ms)

Change in general cognitive functioningBaseline and post-intervention at 3 months

Montreal Cognitive Assessment (0-30 score, with a higher score indicating a better cognitive functioning).

Change in episodic memoryBaseline and post-intervention at 3 months

Validated remote version of neuropsychological tests (Composite Z-score).

Baroreflex gainBaseline and post-intervention at 3 months

Baroreflex sensibility (ms/mmHg)

Change in processing speedBaseline and post-intervention at 3 months

Validated remote version of neuropsychological tests and iPad tests (Composite Z-score).

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Preventive medicine and physical activity centre (centre EPIC), Montreal Heart Institute

🇨🇦

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath