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Moderate physical exercise: a simplified approach for ventricular rate control in older patients with atrial fibrillation

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Abstract

Aims

This prospective pilot-study was performed to assess whether regular moderate physical activity elevates the parasympathetic tone to the atrio-ventricular node and decreases VR during permanent AF.

Background

Adequate ventricular rate (VR) control in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation (AF) is not easy to accomplish.

Methods

10 patients (mean age 59 ± 10 years) with permanent AF (duration: 10 ± 8 years) underwent moderate physical exercise adjusted to their individual physical capability (45 min walking/jogging twice a week). To analyze VR control physical exercise tests and Holter-ECG recordings were performed before and after 4 months. In addition, stepwise lactate tests and psycho-pathometric examinations were obtained.

Results

After 4 months of training, there was a trend toward a decrease of mean VR in 24 h Holter-ECGs by 12% from 76 ± 20 to 67 ± 12 bpm (P = 0.05) while there was no significant decrease of the minimal VR (38 ± 8 vs. 36.3 ± 4.5 bpm, P = 0.54). At a lactate threshold of 2 mmol/l there was a trend towards an increase of the running speed from 105 ± 11 to 116 ± 12 m/min (P = 0.05). A significant VR decrease of 8% (range 5–10%) was observed at almost all exercise levels during exercise treadmill testing. Increases of exercise capacity and decreases of VR were accompanied by subjective improvements of health perception.

Conclusion

Regular moderate physical activity decreases VR at rest and during exercise while increasing exercise capacity. Physical training should be taken into account for ventricular rate control during AF.

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Abbreviations

AF:

Atrial fibrillation

VR:

Ventricular rate

QOL:

Quality of life

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Acknowledgment

There is no conflict of interest of any of the authors.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cardiology, Pneumology, Vascular Medicine, RWTH University Aachen, Pauwelstrasse 30, 52072, Aachen, Germany

    J. Plisiene MD, A. Blumberg MD, G. Haager Msc, C. Knackstedt MD, C. Norra MD, M. Arndt MD, M. Kelm MD & P. Schauerte MD

  2. Institute of Cardiology and Sport Medicine, German Sport University, Cologne, Germany

    J. Latsch MD, S. Tuerk Msc & H. G. Predel MD

  3. Institute of Medical Statistics, RWTH University Aachen, Aachen, Germany

    N. Heussen Msc

Authors
  1. J. Plisiene MD
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  2. A. Blumberg MD
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  3. G. Haager Msc
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  4. C. Knackstedt MD
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  5. J. Latsch MD
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  6. C. Norra MD
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  7. M. Arndt MD
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  8. S. Tuerk Msc
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  9. N. Heussen Msc
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  10. M. Kelm MD
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  11. H. G. Predel MD
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  12. P. Schauerte MD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to P. Schauerte MD.

Additional information

The study was supported by the German Atrial Fibrillation Competence Network (AFCN) funded by the Fedral Ministry of Education and Research (FMBI).

A. Blumberg and J. Plisiene contributed equally to this study.

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Plisiene, J., Blumberg, A., Haager, G. et al. Moderate physical exercise: a simplified approach for ventricular rate control in older patients with atrial fibrillation. Clin Res Cardiol 97, 820–826 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00392-008-0692-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00392-008-0692-3

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