High-Intensity Interval Training Early After Left Ventricular Myocardial Infarction

Summary

Several studies have shown that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is more effective than moderate-intensity continuous exercise training (MICE) at improving functional capacity and quality of life in stable cardiac patients and can be performed safely.

However, its effect on patients after recent myocardial infarction is currently unknown. In these patients avoidance of a negative remodeling after an acute myocardial infarction is of upmost importance. Therefore, assessment of the influence of HIIT on post-infarct left ventricular-remodeling is urgently needed.

Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the effect of HIIT on left ventricular (LV) remodeling (measured by LV end diastolic volume) compared to the effect of the more established MICE training modality.

Further measurements include other parameters of LV remodeling (LV contractility, and brain natriuretic peptide), prognostic parameters (peak oxygen uptake, exercise capacity), cardiac output, endothelial function, leg muscle function and scores of quality of life. Further, certain blood parameters and heart rate variability measured by electro-cardiogram are measured to assess the safety of this type of training.

Patients with first ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) or equivalent with onset of symptoms of ischemia and treated by primary percutaneous intervention within the preceding 4 weeks will be included.

The HIIT and MICE is integrated in a 12-week exercise training program at the Inselspital Bern, consisting of 1) exercise training, 2) nutrition counselling and 3) psychotherapy. The exercise program will comprise 3 weekly exercise sessions lasting 90 minutes, supervised by experienced exercise therapists. The program focuses on endurance type exercises, strengthening and relaxation exercises as well as exercises to improve coordination skills. In the first 3 weeks (run-in-phase), all patients will complete three weekly MICE sessions. In the following 9 weeks, patients randomized to the intervention group will perform two weekly HIIT sessions and one MICE session per week. The control group will continue with three weekly MICE sessions for the 9 week intervention phase.

A total of 144 patients will be recruited. Measurements will be performed at baseline, after a 3-week run-in-phase, and after the 9-week intervention phase. Safety measurements will be performed during the 4th and 12th week.

Conditions

• Myocardial Infarction

Interventions

OTHER

HIIT

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is performed on a cycle ergometer. It consists of a 10 min warm-up followed by 4 min intervals in Zone III (at 90-95% of peak heart rate), with each interval separated by 3 min of active pauses in zone I (at 50-60% of peak heart rate). The total duration of the HIIT training is 38 min.

OTHER

MICE

MICE is also performed on a cycle ergometer at an intensity of 50-80% of peak VO2 or 60-75% of peak heart rate for 47 min (in order for the two training protocols to be isocaloric). The control group will perform MICE training three times per week.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Insel Gruppe AG, University Hospital Bern

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Lukas Trachsel, MD · Preventive Cardiology & Sports Medicine, University Clinic for Cardiology, University Hospital Berne

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2015-06-30

Primary Completion

2019-12-31

Completion

2020-11-11

Countries

• Switzerland

Study Locations