Radial Artery Occlusion after Coronary Angiography with Trans Radial Access A nurse led study employing duplex ultrasonography and the reverse Barbeau test.

AIMS: Trans-radial access (TRA) is the recommended approach for coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Radial artery occlusion (RAO) is the most common complication. We examined the incidence of RAO by means of duplex ultrasonography (DUSG) and the reverse Barbeau test (RBT), after TRA in a clinical setting using conventional compression dressings to achieve haemostasis. All radial artery patency examinations were performed by one dedicated nurse after a brief training course, we assessed the feasibility and quality of this routine in regular clinical practice. METHODS AND RESULTS: In total 97 patients undergoing first time coronary angiograph and in some cases PCI via TRA completed the study. Conventional pressure dressing as means of haemostasis was used. Radial artery patency was examined by DUSG and by RBT, before and at follow-up one month after the procedure. An inter- and intra-observer validation of the ultrasound measurements was performed prior to inclusion. Two cases of RAO (2.1%) were discovered following TRA. All RAO cases were detected by both DUSG and the RBT. Results from the inter-observer validation showed no statistically significant discrepancy between an experienced physician and a newly trained nurse operator (p = 0.403). An intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated at 0.89 indicating excellent reproducibility. CONCLUSION: In a high-volume TRA centre, we detected an overall low incidence of RAO using conventional pressure dressing as means of haemostasis. The easy-to-use RBT detected all cases of RAO. Following a short course of training, a nurse from the cardiac catheterisation laboratory was able to perform high quality DUSG examinations of the radial artery to assess patency.

Aerobic high-intensity interval exercise training in patients with angina and no obstructive coronary artery disease: feasibility and physiological effects.

Aims: Patients with chest pain and normal coronary angiogram [angina with normal coronary arteries (ANOCA)] constitute a therapeutic problem with considerable functional limitation and reduced quality of life. The aims of the current pilot study were to (i) explore if a structured aerobic high-intensity interval training (HIT) program for 12 weeks was feasible in patients with ANOCA, and (ii) to assess mechanisms related to symptoms in this population. Methods and results: Sixteen patients with ANOCA underwent a 3-month aerobic HIT program with one-to-one monitored exercise sessions on treadmill in a 4 min × 4 manner, three times a week. Four patients served as controls. Coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) transthoracic Doppler, flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) and VO2max was measured at baseline and after 12 weeks. The average attendance to training sessions was 82.3% ± 10.1 (56-94). CFVR in the training group increased from 2.50 ± 0.48 to 3.04 ± 0.71 (P < 0.001) whereas FMD increased from 4.19 ± 2.42% to 8.28 ± 2.85% (P < 0.001). Improvement in CFVR correlated with the relative improvement in FMD (R = 0.45, P = 0.047). This was associated with an increase in VO2max from 28.75 ± 6.51 mL/kg/min to 31.93 ± 6.46 mL/kg/min (P < 0.001). Conclusion: A 3-month program of monitored HIT was feasible, with high adherence resulting in improved functional capacity in patients with ANOCA. CFVR improved and this improvement was associated with improved FMD. ClinicalTrialsgov Identifier: NCT02905630.

Blood Lactate AUC Is a Sensitive Test for Evaluating the Effect of Exercise Training on Functional Work Capacity in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure.

PURPOSE: Exercise training is an essential treatment option for patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). However, it remains controversial, which surrogate measures of functional work capacity are most reliable. The purpose of this paper was to compare functional capacity work measured as capillary lactate concentrations area under the curve (AUC) with standard cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) with VO2peak and the 6-minute walk test (6 MWT). METHODS: Twenty-three patients in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II/III with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <35% were randomised to home-based recommendation of regular exercise (RRE) (controls), moderate continuous training (MCT) or aerobic interval training (AIT). The MCT and AIT groups underwent 12 weeks of supervised exercise training. Exercise testing was performed as standard CPET treadmill test with analysis of VO2peak, the 6 MWT and a novel 30-minute submaximal treadmill test with capillary lactate AUC. RESULTS: All patients had statistically significant improvements in VO2peak, 6 MWT and lactate AUC after 12 weeks of exercise training: 6 MWT (p =0.035), VO2peak (p =0.049) and lactate AUC (p =0.002). Lactate AUC (p =0.046) and 6MWT (p =0.035), but not VO2peak revealed difference between the exercise modalities regarding functional work capacity. CONCLUSION: 6-MWT and lactate AUC, but not VO2peak, were able to reveal a statistically significant improvement in functional capacity between different exercise modalities.

The relationship between IFNL4 genotype and the rate of fibrosis in hepatitis C patients.

Introduction: IFNL4 rs12979860 genotype CC is associated with increased ALT activity and liver stiffness in hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype (G) 3 infection but not in G1. The primary aim of this study is to assess an interaction between IFNL4 genotype, viral genotype and the stage of liver fibrosis. Secondary aims are to study the potential interactions between IFNL4 genotype, viral genotype and viral load as well as ALT levels. Methods: We performed a cross sectional study of patients with untreated chronic hepatitis C. Inflammation and liver fibrosis were scored using METAVIR. DNA was extracted from serum samples and the rs12979860 was genotyped using a custom made Taqman assay. Results: About 304 consecutive patients with chronic Hepatitis C were included. 52% had G1 infection and 48% had G3. Among patients with G3, advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis (F3F4) was present in 35% of the patients with IFNL4 CC and 28% with CT/TT (p = 0.24). Among patients with G1, F3F4 was present in 20% of the patients with IFNL4 CC and 19% with CT/TT (p = 0.52). IFNL4 CC was associated with higher mean value of normalized (n)ALT both in HCV G1 and G3 infection. Conclusions: IFNL4 genotype was not a predictor of advanced liver fibrosis in G3 or G1 infected patients. IFNL4 CC predicted a higher mean value of ALT among both G1 and G3 infected patients.

Effects of interval training on inflammatory biomarkers in patients with ischemic heart failure.

Objectives. Exercise training has been proposed to have anti-inflammatory effects. We examined whether aerobic interval training (AIT) can attenuate the inflammatory response in ischemic heart failure (HF) as measured by serum biomarkers representing a broad spectrum of activated inflammatory pathways. Design. We conducted a controlled prospective trial recruiting 30 patients (19 in the AIT group and 11 in the control group) with ischemic HF and an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). This study is a sub study of the previously reported "Aerobic interval training in patients with heart failure and an ICD" (Eur J Prev Cardiol. 22 March 2015; 22:296-303). Patients in the AIT group exercised for 12-weeks completing a total of 36 AIT sessions. We analyzed serum levels of C-reactive protein, pentraxin-3, osteoprotegerin, brain natriuretic peptide, neopterin, and soluble tumor necrois factor type 1 and 2, all known to predict an adverse outcome in HF, at baseline and following the 12-week AIT intervention. Results. The AIT group significantly increased peak oxygen uptake and improved endothelial function compared to the sedentary control group. No statistically significant changes in serum levels of the biomarkers were detected from baseline following the AIT intervention and, there were no significant differences in changes of these mediators between the AIT and the control group. Conclusions. A 12-week AIT intervention, although improving exercise capacity and endothelial function, did not attenuate serum inflammatory biomarkers in stable ischemic HF patients with an ICD on optimal medical therapy.

Preoperative incipient osteoarthritis predicts failure after periacetabular osteotomy: 69 hips operated through the anterior intrapelvic approach.

BACKGROUND: Untreated developmental hip dysplasia may result in pain, loss of function and is a common cause of osteoarthritis (OA). The periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) was developed to relieve symptoms and postpone further degeneration of the hip. We aimed to assess preoperative clinical and radiographic prognostic factors and evaluate survivorship of PAO after medium-term follow-up of 7.4 (2-15) years. METHODS: 59 patients (69 hips) operated with a PAO through an anterior intrapelvic approach from 1999 to 2011 were retrospectively identified. The patients were evaluated radiographically and clinically with Harris Hip Score, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index and 15D quality of life questionnaires. Survival analyses identified native hip joint survival predictors. RESULTS: 9 hips (9 patients) were converted to a total hip arthroplasty (THA). Of the 50 remaining patients (60 hips), 44 patients (54 hips) were examined at medium-term follow-up. 3 patients were lost to follow-up or declined participation and 3 were interviewed by telephone. Patient age at time of surgery was 32 (14-44) years. Survival analyses showed 84.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 68.7-92.5%) survival of the native hip at 8 years follow-up (number at risk 32) (worst case scenario 80% survival at 8 years, 95% CI, 63.9-89.2%, number at risk 32). Cox regression with presence of preoperative OA (Tönnis ⩾1), showed a crude hazard ratio for conversion to THA with preoperative OA of 13.73, p < 0.001. CONCLUSIONS: Periacetabular osteotomy through the anterior intrapelvic approach can be performed safely and with satisfactory results at medium-term follow-up. The presence of preoperative incipient OA (Tönnis ⩾1) is the most important predictor for poor hip joint survival.

Subtherapeutic concentrations of infliximab and adalimumab are associated with increased disease activity in Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND: Low anti-tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) serum concentrations may result in lack of treatment response in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. We determined the anti-TNFα drug concentrations in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and investigated whether or not subtherapeutic drug concentrations were associated with increased levels of disease activity. METHODS: In a single-center cross-sectional study, we included patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease who were receiving infliximab or adalimumab maintenance therapy. Demographic data, disease activity symptom scores (Partial Mayo Score, Harvey Bradshaw Index), inflammatory markers [C-reactive protein (CRP), fecal calprotectin], antidrug antibodies and serum drug concentrations were recorded. Therapeutic drug concentrations were defined as 3-8 mg/liter for infliximab and 5-12 mg/liter for adalimumab. RESULTS: Of 210 patients included, 137 (65.2%) had Crohn's disease. In the adalimumab group, subtherapeutic drug concentrations were measured in 16.7% of patients with ulcerative colitis and in 27.7% of patients with Crohn's disease. In the infliximab group, subtherapeutic drug concentrations were found in 23% (ulcerative colitis) and 30.3% (Crohn's disease) of patients. In Crohn's disease, subtherapeutic adalimumab concentrations were associated with higher fecal calprotectin and CRP concentrations compared with therapeutic concentrations. Subtherapeutic infliximab concentrations in patients with Crohn's disease were also associated with higher CRP concentrations compared with therapeutic concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of subtherapeutic drug levels ranged from 17% to 30%. In patients with Crohn's disease, subtherapeutic serum drug concentrations were associated with significantly higher disease activity with both anti-TNFα agents. These findings were not observed in patients with ulcerative colitis. Clinicaltrials.gov identifier [NCT02134054].

Impact of an exercise training program on cardiac neuronal function in heart failure patients on optimal medical therapy : A randomized Iodine-123 metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy study.

BACKGROUND: The syndrome of heart failure (HF) is characterized by left ventricular dysfunction and a compensatory chronic over activation of the sympathetic nervous system. We wanted to investigate if the beneficial effects of exercise training (ET) in HF patients on optimal medical therapy (OMT) are associated with alterations in cardiac sympathetic activity. METHODS: Cardiac sympathetic activity was evaluated at baseline and after 12 weeks using metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy in 23 patients with stable HF participating in the SmartEx trial. Patients with HF in New York Heart Association class II or III and left ventricular ejection fraction <35 % were randomized to three different ET groups. RESULTS: We found no statistically significant changes in cardiac sympathetic activity after 12 weeks of ET. Heart to mediastinum (H/M) ratio at 15 minutes (0.00174 ± 0.0841, P = 0.922), H/M ratio at 4 hours (-0.00565 ± 0.1163, P = 0.818) and washout ratio (WR) (-1.2666 ± 16.5412, P = 0.717). A further group-wise analysis of the three ET groups did not show any difference between the groups. CONCLUSION: A 12-week ET program did not alter the abnormal cardiac sympathetic activity in stable HF patients on modern OMT.

TWEAK is not elevated in patients with newly diagnosed inflammatory bowel disease.

OBJECTIVE: Tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) may be involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. The aim was to investigate if TWEAK may reflect disease activity in inflammatory bowel disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cohort study, 139 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed and previously untreated inflammatory bowel disease - 95 with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 44 with Crohn's disease (CD) - underwent colonoscopy. Disease activity was assessed by the Mayo score and the Mayo endoscopic score (MES) for UC, or the Simple Endoscopic Score (SES) for CD. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and fecal calprotectin were measured in IBD patients, as were plasma TWEAK levels in patients and 85 healthy subjects. Associations between TWEAK levels and disease activity markers were explored. RESULTS: In the total IBD group, the median (interquartile range) TWEAK level was 430 pg/ml (109-6570), in UC 502 pg/ml (109-4547) and in CD patients 352 pg/ml (101-9179), respectively. Healthy subjects had a median (IQR) TWEAK of 307 pg/ml (63-3492). There were no significant differences in TWEAK levels between the total IBD group and healthy control subjects, nor between UC and CD, or between UC/CD and healthy subjects. Furthermore, we found no significant associations between Mayo scores, MES-UC, SES-CD, CRP, and fecal calprotectin with plasma TWEAK levels. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma TWEAK levels do not reflect disease activity or the grade of inflammation in patients with newly diagnosed inflammatory bowel disease. NCT01551563.

Conventional treatment regimens for ulcerative colitis alleviate fatigue - an observational cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the course of fatigue in a conventional inflammatory bowel disease treatment setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-two patients with newly diagnosed ulcerative colitis were included in an observational cohort study and received conventional non-biological drug treatment for 3 months. Colonoscopy was performed at diagnosis and after 3 months, disease activity was assessed by Mayo score and measurements of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and fecal calprotectin levels. Fatigue was evaluated using the fatigue visual analog scale (fVAS). Mood was assessed with the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS). Associations between fVAS scores and time; age; CRP, fecal calprotectin, hemoglobin, and ferritin levels; and Mayo scores, Mayo endoscopic scores, and HADS depression subscale (HADS-D) scores were explored. RESULTS: Median fVAS scores decreased, as did Mayo scores and CRP and fecal calprotectin concentrations. HADS-D scores remained unchanged, whereas hemoglobin levels increased after 3 months. Increased fVAS scores were associated with higher ferritin, Mayo and HADS-D scores. There were no associations between fVAS scores and CRP, fecal calprotectin, or Mayo endoscopic scores. Colonic disease distribution did not influence fatigue significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Disease activity and fatigue improved after 3 months of conventional ulcerative colitis treatment. Over time, more severe fatigue was associated with more ulcerative colitis symptoms, but not with objective disease activity markers or colonic disease distribution. A clinical setting of standard treatment regimens and medical attention may alleviate fatigue in IBD patients.

Effects of aerobic interval training on measures of anxiety, depression and quality of life in patients with ischaemic heart failure and an implantable cardioverter defibrillator: A prospective non-randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the short- and long-term effects of aerobic interval training on quality of life and on symptoms of anxiety and depression among patients with ischaemic heart failure and an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. DESIGN: Prospective, non-randomized controlled study. SUBJECTS: Patients with ischaemic heart failure and an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, willing to undergo an aerobic interval training programme. A total of 31 patients were enrolled (19 were assigned to the aerobic interval training group and 12 to the control group). METHODS: The aerobic interval training group performed a 12-week exercise training programme. All patients were evaluated with the Short Form-36 (SF-36), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire at baseline, after 12 weeks and at 2 years. RESULTS: The aerobic interval training group showed significant improvements in several SF-36 subscores at 12 weeks. There was an unadjusted significant reduction in the HADS depression (HADS-D) score. At follow-up, results in the aero-bic interval training group moved towards baseline or remained stable, whereas in the control group HADS-D scores and some SF-36 subscores deteriorated. CONCLUSION: Participation in a 12-week aerobic interval training programme resulted in significant improvements in several measures of quality of life and the unadjusted HADS-D score in patients with ischaemic heart failure with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. At follow-up there was significantly less sedentary activity in the aerobic interval training group, while psychometric measures were no longer significantly different from baseline.

Hepatitis C treatment at three Norwegian hospitals 2000-2011.

BACKGROUND: In the period 2000 ­ 2011, chronic hepatitis C virus infection (HCV infection) was primarily treated with a combination of pegylated interferon and ribavirin. New antiviral drugs, which are effective but very expensive, are in the process of replacing this regimen. We have investigated the results pegylated interferon and ribavirin have yielded in ordinary clinical practice and examined the part this treatment may play in the near future. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We included in this retrospective study HCV-RNA-positive, treatment-naive patients at Stavanger University Hospital, Akershus University Hospital and Østfold Hospital who received at least one dose of pegylated interferon in combination with ribavirin in the period 2000 ­ 2011. The primary endpoint was sustained virologic response (SVR). Predictors for SVR were identified by means of logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Of 588 included patients, 69.6% (409/588) achieved SVR, 14.3% (84/588) suffered relapse and 16.1% (95/588) showed non-response. In a multivariate analysis, genotypes 2 or 3 and low age at treatment start were independent predictors of SVR. A total of 85.4% of patients aged ≤ 40 years with genotype 2 or 3 had SVR. INTERPRETATION: We found good results for treatment of young patients with genotype 2 or 3 with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Low age and viral genotype were predictors of sustained virologic response (SVR).

Fatigue in Newly Diagnosed Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The present study investigated the prevalence and severity of fatigue in patients with newly diagnosed and untreated ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) and examined relevant disease variables that may influence the severity of fatigue. METHODS: Eighty-one patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (60 with UC and 21 with CD) were assessed for fatigue using two fatigue instruments: the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and a fatigue visual analogue scale (fVAS). Cut-off for fatigue was defined as ≥4 for FSS and ≥50 for fVAS. Results were compared with fatigue scores from age-and gender-matched healthy individuals. Disease activity was assessed by symptom scores using the Mayo score in UC patients and the Harvey-Bradshaw index for CD patients, as well as C-reactive protein (CRP) and faecal calprotectin. RESULTS: The prevalence of fatigue based on FSS and fVAS was 47 and 42%, respectively, in UC and 62 and 48% in CD. In multivariate regression models, disease activity markers were not associated with fatigue, while a significant relationship was found with age and depression for both fatigue measures. CONCLUSIONS: Close to 50% of patients with IBD reported fatigue at the time of diagnosis. In newly diagnosed patients with active disease, the severity of fatigue was not associated with measures of disease activity.

Aerobic interval training in patients with heart failure and an implantable cardioverter defibrillator: a controlled study evaluating feasibility and effect.

BACKGROUND: Aerobic interval training (AIT) has been shown to be superior to moderate continuous exercise training in improving exercise capacity and endothelial function in patients with both coronary artery disease and heart failure (HF). The objective of this study was to evaluate this training modality in patients with HF and an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) with regard to feasibility, safety, and effect. METHODS: We prospectively included 38 patients with an ICD: 26 patients participated in an AIT programme for 3 months, while 12 patients served as controls. At baseline and 12-week follow up, patients were assessed with a maximal ergospirometry stress test, echocardiography, endothelial function testing, and ICD interrogation. RESULTS: No exercise-related adverse events occurred during or soon after the training sessions. ICD interrogation revealed no sustained arrhythmias, antitachycardia pacing, or ICD discharge related to exercise sessions. The AIT programme led to a significant increase in peak oxygen uptake, cycle ergometer workload, and endothelial function compared to the control group. The training programme was safe and not associated with any adverse events or ICD-related complications. CONCLUSIONS: An AIT programme is feasible and seems safe in a well-treated, stable ICD population. Further, AIT for 3 months results in significantly increased aerobic capacity and endothelial function in this population.

Polyethylene glycol vs sodium picosulfate/magnesium citrate for colonoscopy preparation.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Polyethylene glycol-based electrolyte solutions (PEG-ELS) and the combination of sodium picosulfate/magnesium citrate (SPMC) are commonly used bowel preparation agents. The aim of the present study was to compare the two agents with regard to cleansing efficacy and tolerance among individuals scheduled for outpatient colonoscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 368 colonoscopy outpatients at three Norwegian hospitals were randomized to bowel lavage with either PEG-ELS or SPMC. Compliance and patient tolerance were evaluated using a patient questionnaire. Bowel cleansing was evaluated using the Ottawa Bowel Preparation Quality Scale (OBPS), a validated scoring system with scores between 0 (best) and 14. RESULTS: There was no difference in the cleansing quality between the PEG-ELS and SPMC groups (median OBPS 5.0 in both groups). The group that received SPMC reported better overall patient tolerance than the PEG-ELS group (72.6 % vs 59.0 % reporting no or slight discomfort, P < 0.01). Compliance with the recommended total fluid intake (4 L) was better in the SPMC group than in the PEG-ELS group (94.2 % vs 81.2 % respectively, P < 0.01); moreover, the polyp detection rate was superior (34.3 % vs 23.3 %, P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: PEG-ELS and SPMC are equally effective in cleansing efficacy, but SPMC was better tolerated by patients and resulted in superior patient compliance and polyp detection rate. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01624454.

Increased confidence to engage in physical exertion: older ICD recipients' experiences of participating in an exercise training programme.

BACKGROUND: Research suggests that exercise training (ET) programmes may improve both physical and psychosocial functioning in implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) recipients. Most of this research has been conducted by means of quantitative methods. However, knowledge of older ICD recipients' experiences of participating in such programmes is sparse. There is thus a need for more detailed qualitative data from the perspective of older patients. AIM: To describe older ICD recipients' experiences of participating in an ET programme. METHODS: A qualitative design with semistructured interviews involving 12 older ICD recipients who had participated in a 3-month ET programme. Mini-disc recordings of the interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using content analysis. RESULTS: The analysis revealed two major themes: (1) 'increased confidence to engage in physical exertion'; and (2) 'increased satisfaction with life'. The first theme is illustrated by three subthemes: 'perceived support from physiotherapists', 'perceiving the heart rate monitor as a motivation to exercise', and 'perceiving peers as motivators for enjoyment and making the effort to exercise'. The second theme was illustrated by the following subthemes: 'perceived psychosocial benefits', 'perceived physical benefits', and 'exercise as a new health habit'. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that exercising in a cardiac rehabilitation centre together with peers and supervised by skilled healthcare professionals may increase motivation to exert oneself, leading to emotional and physical benefits as well as a more social and active lifestyle for older ICD recipients.

Shock anxiety among implantable cardioverter defibrillator recipients with recent tachyarrhythmia.

BACKGROUND: Shock anxiety has been documented irrespective of shock exposure in implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) recipients. The presence of tachyarrhythmia may lead to an anticipation of receiving a shock and thereby give rise to shock anxiety. The aims were to assess: (1) the level of shock anxiety in a sample of ICD recipients, (2) the relationship between such anxiety and shock exposure, and (3) the relationship between recent tachyarrhythmia and shock anxiety. METHODS: ICD recipients (n = 167) completed the Florida Shock Anxiety Scale measure of shock anxiety. The recipients were divided into three groups: (1) Recipients with no documented tachyarrhythmia over the previous 12 months (n = 56), (2) recipients with documented tachyarrhythmia over the previous twelve months (n = 54), and (3) recipients with any history of shocks (n = 57). RESULTS: Of the recipients, 44% experienced some form of shock anxiety, whereas 15% reported general shock anxiety. Analyses of covariance revealed that recipients with recent tachyarrhythmia (F = 7.675 df = 9/100, P = 0.007) as well as recipients with a shock history (F = 9.976, df = 9/103, P = 0.002) reported higher levels of shock anxiety than recipients with no recent tachyarrhythmia. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that although a substantial proportion of the ICD recipients experienced some form of shock anxiety, only a relatively small proportion reported general shock anxiety. ICD recipients with recent tachyarrhythmia, in addition to recipients with shock history, appear to be at greater risk for development of shock anxiety. This implies that these recipients may profit from clinical-based strategies and interventions targeting shock anxiety.

Exercise training and cardiac rehabilitation in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators: a review of current literature focusing on safety, effects of exercise training, and the psychological impact of programme participation.

BACKGROUND: Indications for implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) have been widened considerably during the last decade due to the well-documented effect in the heart failure population. Exercise training (ET) has a 1A recommendation in heart failure. However, data on safety and efficacy of ET in patients with ICDs is sparse. ICD shocks are associated with reduced quality of life and increased mortality. Whether ET may have a beneficial effect in heart failure patients with an ICD is not well documented. METHODS: This review is based on a systematic search in the Pub Med database using the terms 'exercise training', 'implantable cardioverter defibrillator', and 'cardiac rehabilitation'. RESULTS: Nine studies were identified, comprising 1889 patients. The average duration of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) was 9.6 weeks. Ten ICD therapies (seven shocks) were reported in the 834 patients with ICD during ET. Between exercise sessions and during follow up 182 events were recorded including 166 shocks. Three studies (2 randomized) showed that the control group representing sedentary patients were more prone to ICD discharge than patients undergoing CR/ET. In all studies the ICD patients improved their aerobic fitness following ET. Few studies report data on the effect of ET on anxiety and depression. CONCLUSION: Based on the current literature, ET in patients with an ICD seems to be safe and is not associated with increased risk of shocks. ET improves aerobic capacity in ICD patients, while effects on anxiety, depression and quality of life are still under debate.