High-intensity aerobic exercise improves diastolic function in coronary artery disease

Objective. To study the effect of aerobic treadmill exercise training with different intensity on left ventricular (LV) function in patients with stable coronary artery disease, using Strain Rate- and Tissue Doppler Imaging. Design. Seventeen patients were randomly assigned to either moderate (50-60% of peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak)) or high intensity exercise (80-90% of VO2peak) for 10 weeks. Results. The increase of VO2peak was significantly higher (p=0.01) in the high intensity group (17 vs. 8%). Mean LV early diastolic strain rate increased in the high, but not in the moderate, intensity group. For systolic strain rate or mitral annular velocities there were no change after training in either group. Conclusions. Aerobic treadmill exercise improves early diastolic relaxation in patients with stable coronary artery disease, measured by the mean LV early diastolic strain rate.