-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Physical activity contributes to improve health and quality of life. However, the prevalence of sedentary lifestyle is elevated after an acute coronary syndrome.
A randomized controlled trial was performed to evaluate the impact of a pedometer-based program associated with a socio-cognitive intervention on physical activity behaviour, cardiovascular risk factors, and quality of life during the year after an acute coronary syndrome event. During hospitalization, we randomized 32 patients to an experimental group and 33 patients to a usual care group. The experimental intervention included 6 consultations with a clinical nurse specialist during 12 months.
Groups characteristics were comparable. At baseline, the percentage of participants considered in the active range category was similar between groups (31% vs 41%; P = 0.915). However, the proportion of participants who were still active was greater in the experimental group than in the usual care group at 6, 9, and 12 months follow-up (75% vs 41%; 68% vs 36%, and 83% vs 55%, respectively; P < 0.05). After 12 months, changes in overall quality of life and in health and the functioning scores were different between groups (interaction effects [groups by time] P = 0.048 and P = 0.036, respectively).
The use of a pedometer concomitantly with a socio-cognitive intervention improves adherence to physical activity and quality of life during the year after an acute coronary syndrome event. This finding is relevant because physical activity and quality of life are a great concern in preventive cardiology. These results support applying this innovative approach in cardiac rehabilitation programs.
The Canadian journal of cardiology 12/2011; 28(1):27-32. · 3.36 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: To evaluate the impact of a socio-cognitive intervention associated with a pedometer-based program on physical activity, cardiovascular risk factors and self-efficacy expectation during one year following an acute coronary syndrome.
Sixty-five subjects were randomized during hospitalization in an experimental or a usual care group. Average steps/day was measured every 3 months until one year following discharge. Other dependent variables were measured at baseline, 6 and 12 months follow-up.
There were 32 patients in the experimental group and 33 patients in the usual care group. Group characteristics were comparable. At baseline, averages steps/day were similar between groups (5845±3246 vs. 6097±3055 steps/day; p=0.812). At 3-month follow-up, both groups increased their averages steps/day (p<0.05). This increase was higher in the experimental group (3388±844 vs. 1934±889 steps/day; p<0.001). At 12-month, interaction effects (group×time) in physical activity and waist circumference were different between groups (p<0.05), whereas self-efficacy expectation increased in both groups similarly (p<0.05).
The intervention is useful to improve average steps/day and waist circumference during the first year following an acute coronary syndrome.
This study supports development of the home-based cardiac rehabilitation program using socio-cognitive intervention associated with a pedometer after an acute coronary syndrome.
Patient Education and Counseling 05/2011; 85(3):e237-44. · 2.31 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Trandolapril is a well known angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor with many cardiovascular (CV) indications. The objectives of this article are to review the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics properties of trandolapril and to focus on its clinical relevance in cardiovascular medicine. Various populations have been studied in large clinical trials including patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI), diabetics, patients with hypertension (HTN), stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and prevention of proteinuria. Long-term treatment with trandolapril in patients with reduced left ventricular function soon after AMI significantly reduced the risk of overall mortality, mortality from CV causes, sudden death, and the development of severe CHF. Treatment with trandolapril after AMI complicated by left ventricular dysfunction appears to be of considerable importance in patients with diabetes mellitus by saving lives and substantially reducing the risk of progression to severe CHF as well. Moreover, trandolapril reduces progression to proteinuria in high-risk patients. Some of the advantages of trandolapril over other ACE inhibitors are the wide spectrum of patient populations studied, the well established dosage and its proven trough-to-peak effect ratios permitting a safe once-a-day administration.
Vascular Health and Risk Management 02/2008; 4(6):1147-58.
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Relieving the symptoms of angina and improving the quality of life and functional status are important objectives in the management of patients with chronic stable angina. A high heart rate induces or exacerbates myocardial ischemia and angina because it both increases oxygen demand and decreases myocardial perfusion. Beta-Blockers are effective at reducing anginal symptoms largely by decreasing heart rate. Physician use and patient compliance may be limited by the side effects of Beta-blockers which include fatigue, depression and sexual dysfunction. Heart rate reduction can also be obtained by the calcium antagonists verapamil and diltiazem and by the new selective heart-rate-reducing agent ivabradine. Ivabradine (Procoralan) is a selective and specific I(f) inhibitor that acts on one of the most important ionic currents for the regulation of the pacemaker activity of sinoatrial node cells. Ivabradine has demonstrated dosedependent anti-ischemic and antianginal effects in a placebo-controlled study. The INITIATIVE trial is a large multicenter trial in which 939 patients with stable angina were randomized to ivabradine or atenolol. The noninferiority of ivabradine was shown in the INITIATIVE trial at all doses and for all criteria including time to limiting angina. The number of angina attacks per week was decreased by two thirds with both ivabradine and atenolol. In another trial of 1,195 patients, time to 1mm ST segment depression was increased by 45 s with ivabradine 7.5 mg b.i.d. and by 40 s with amlodipine 10 mg daily. Unlike beta-blockers, ivabradine is devoid of intrinsic negative inotropic effects and does not affect coronary vasomotion. A whole range of patients with angina may benefit from exclusive heart rate reduction with ivabradine, including those with contraindications or intolerance to the use of beta-blockers and patients that are insufficiently controlled by beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers.
Advances in cardiology 02/2006; 43:65-78.
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Heart rate reduction is the cornerstone of the treatment of angina. The purpose of this study was to explore the prognostic value of heart rate in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD).
We assessed the relationship between resting heart rate at baseline and cardiovascular mortality/morbidity, while adjusting for risk factors. A total of 24 913 patients with suspected or proven CAD from the Coronary Artery Surgery Study registry were studied for a median follow-up of 14.7 years. All-cause and cardiovascular mortality and cardiovascular rehospitalizations were increased with increasing heart rate (P<0.0001). Patients with resting heart rate > or =83 bpm at baseline had a significantly higher risk for total mortality [hazard ratio (HR)=1.32, CI 1.19-1.47, P<0.0001] and cardiovascular mortality (HR=1.31, CI 1.15-1.48, P<0.0001) after adjustment for multiple clinical variables when compared with the reference group. When comparing patients with heart rates between 77-82 and > or =83 bpm with patients with a heart rate < or =62 bpm, the HR values for time to first cardiovascular rehospitalization were 1.11 and 1.14, respectively (P<0.001 for both).
Resting heart rate is a simple measurement with prognostic implications. High resting heart rate is a predictor for total and cardiovascular mortality independent of other risk factors in patients with CAD.
European Heart Journal 05/2005; 26(10):967-74. · 10.48 Impact Factor