High-dose Chemotherapy Impairs Cardiac Autonomic Control of Hospitalized Cancer Patients Undergoing Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patients have intermediary and late cardiac autonomic dysfunction, which is an independent mortality predictor. However, it is unknown when this HSCT-related autonomic dysfunction begins during hospitalization for HSCT and whether cardiac autonomic control (CAC) is related to cardiotoxicity in these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: CAC was assessed in 36 autologous-HSCT inpatients (HSCT group) and 23 cancer-free outpatients (CON group) using heart rate variability analysis. The HSCT group was assessed at five time-points from admission to hospital discharge during hospitalization period. The CON group was assessed once. The severity of cardiotoxicity (CTCAE 5.0) and cardiac troponin I were recorded. RESULTS: The CAC was significantly reduced after high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) (reduction of MNN, SDNN, RMSSD, LFms2 and HFnu, and increase of LFnu and LF/HF; P<0.05). At the onset of neutropenia, pNN50 and HFms2 were also reduced (P<0.05) compared to the admission ones. Although both groups were similar regarding CAC at hospital admission, the HSCT patients showed impaired CAC at hospital discharge (P<0.05). The LF/HF was positively associated with cardiac troponin I and RMSSD was inversely associated with the severity of cardiotoxicity (P≤0.05). CONCLUSION: CAC worsened during hospitalization for autologous-HSCT, mainly after HDC. In addition, it seems associated to early signs of cardiotoxicity in these patients.

Embedding Pulmonary Rehabilitation for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in the Home and Community Setting: A Rapid Review.

This paper presents a rapid review of the literature for the components, benefits, barriers, and facilitators of pulmonary rehabilitation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) people in-home and community-based settings. seventy-six studies were included: 57 home-based pulmonary rehabilitation (HBPR) studies and 19 community-based pulmonary rehabilitation (CBPR) studies. The benefits of HBPR on exercise capacity and health-related quality of life were observed in one-group studies, studies comparing HBPR to usual care, and studies comparing to hospital-based pulmonary rehabilitation, although the benefits were less pronounced in the latter. HBPR reduced hospital admissions compared to usual care and was more cost-effective than hospital pulmonary rehabilitation. Most HBPRs were designed with low-density or customized equipment, are minimally supervised, and have a low intensity of training. Although the HBPR has flexibility and no travel burden, participants with severe disease, physical frailty, and complex comorbidities had barriers to complying with HBPR. The telerehabilitation program, a facilitator for HBPR, is feasible and safe. CBPR was offered in-person supervision, despite being limited to physical therapists in most studies. Benefits in exercise capacity were shown in almost all studies, but the improvement in health-related quality of life was controversial. Patients reported the benefits that facilities where they attended the CBPR including social support and the presence of an instructor. They also reported barriers, such as poor physical condition, transport difficulties, and family commitments. Despite the minimal infrastructure offered, HBPR and CBPR are feasible, safe, and provide clinical benefits to patients with COPD. Home and community settings are excellent opportunities to expand the offer of pulmonary rehabilitation programs, as long as they follow protocols that ensure quality and safety following current guidelines.

Inspiratory muscle training in addition to conventional physical rehabilitation in hospitalized patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) in addition to conventional physical rehabilitation on muscle strength, functional capacity, mobility, hemodynamics, fatigue, and quality of life in hospitalized patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled trial in 57 inpatients with hematological diseases undergoing HSCT. Conventional inpatient physical rehabilitation was delivered to the IMT (n = 27) and control (CON; n = 30) groups according to usual care, and the first group additionally performed IMT. The IMT was prescribed according to clinical and laboratory parameters at 40% of maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), 5 days/week throughout the hospitalization, in sessions of 10-20 min. The primary outcome was MIP and the secondary outcomes were maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), peripheral muscle strength (handgrip and sit-to-stand tests), functional capacity (6-min step test), mobility (timed up and go test), blood pressure, quality of life (EORTC-QLQ-C30), and fatigue (FACT-F) at admission and hospital discharge. RESULTS: The population was predominately autologous HSCT. The IMT group significantly increased the MIP (P < 0.01) and decreased both fatigue (P = 0.01) and blood pressure (P < 0.01) compared with control. No differences were found between admission and hospital discharge in peripheral and expiratory muscle strength, functional capacity, mobility, and quality of life in both groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the effectiveness of IMT as part of rehabilitation for HSCT inpatients, improving inspiratory muscle strength, and reducing fatigue and blood pressure. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03373526 (clinicaltrials.gov).

Exacerbated hemodynamic response during exercise in cancer patients prior to autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

PURPOSE: Chemotherapy treatment can lead to cardiovascular toxicity and physical impairment prior to autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT). Cardiovascular adjustments during exercise and the exercise capacity remain unknown in patients prior to auto-HSCT. Thus, the hemodynamic responses during exercise and exercise capacity were evaluated using a novel effort test in patients prior to auto-HSCT. METHODS: Thirty patients prior to auto-HSCT (BMT group: 44.6 ± 14.1 years) and 23 control participants (CON group: 43.9 ± 16.6 years) performed the 6-Minute Step Test (6MST) to assess their exercise capacity and the hemodynamic responses during exercise. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), heart rate (HR), and oxygen saturation (SpO2) were measured during the test. Rate-pressure product (RPP) was calculated multiplying SBP by HR. The highest HR value recorded during the test was compared with the maximum HR predicted by age and was used as % of maximum HR (%HRmax). RESULTS: The number of steps up and down performed by the BMT group was lower than CON (108.8 ± 25.3 vs. 127.5 ± 34.4 steps, P = 0.02). The BMT group showed a higher magnitude of increase in SBP and RPP during the 6MST when compared to CON (ΔSBP: 18.5 ± 11.45 vs. 8.30 ± 18.46 mmHg, P = 0.01; and ΔRPP: 8197.3 ± 3829.1 vs. 6170.9 ± 3568.9 mmHg beats min-1, P = 0.05). The BMT group exhibited higher SpO2 and HR values throughout the protocol (P < 0.05), reaching a higher %HRmax than CON group (76.9 ± 9.6 vs. 66.4 ± 8.9%, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with indication for auto-HSCT have exacerbated chronotropic and pressor responses during exercise and reduced exercise capacity in the 6MST.

Safety and feasibility of inspiratory muscle training for hospitalized patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a randomized controlled study.

PURPOSE: Patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) usually experienced respiratory muscle weakness. Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) at HSCT has not been studied yet. Thus, it is important to evaluate the safety, feasibility, and preliminary effectiveness of IMT for hospitalized patients undergoing HSCT with an unstable and acute clinical condition. METHODS: This is a randomized controlled feasibility study. Thirty-one hospitalized patients undergoing HSCT were randomized to the conventional physical rehabilitation (CON) or to the IMT group (conventional physical rehabilitation + IMT). IMT was carried out at 40% of maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), 5 sessions weekly, 10-20 min/session. Primary outcomes were safety and feasibility (recruitment, adherence, and attrition rates) of IMT. Secondary outcomes were respiratory strength, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and frequency of patients with oxygen desaturation, bleeding, dyspnea, and acute pulmonary edema. RESULTS: Patients were allocated to the IMT (N = 15; 43.6 years) or to the CON group (N = 16; 46.6 years). The recruitment rate was 100%, the adherence rate was 91%, and attrition was 13% to IMT. Two events were observed in 126 IMT sessions (1.5%). MIP increased in the IMT group (P < 0.01). No differences were observed in respiratory rate and oxygen saturation between groups. Trends to negative outcomes were observed in the CON in comparison to IMT group for a need of oxygen therapy (18% vs. 6%), bleeding (12% vs. 6%), dyspnea (25% vs. 13%), and acute pulmonary edema (6% vs. 0%). CONCLUSIONS: IMT is safe, feasible, and improves the inspiratory muscle strength in hospitalized patients undergoing HSCT. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical trial registration: NCT03373526.

Functional Capacity Change Impacts the Quality of Life of Hospitalized Patients Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare the quality of life (QOL) of patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation who improved their functional capacity during hospitalization (increased functional capacity group) with that of patients who maintained or decreased functional capacity during hospitalization (decreased functional capacity group). DESIGN: This observational, longitudinal study included 27 hospitalized patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Patients were divided into increased functional capacity group (16 patients) and decreased functional capacity group (11 patients). Functional capacity (6-min step test), peripheral muscle strength (sit-to-stand test and handgrip strength), and QOL (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer) were assessed at admission and at hospital discharge. RESULTS: Increased functional capacity patients had increased functional capacity and peripheral muscle strength of the lower and upper limbs at hospital discharge (P < 0.01, <0.01, and 0.02, respectively). The patients in the increased functional capacity group demonstrated an increase in global health and reduced symptoms at discharge (P = 0.02 and 0.03, respectively). No significant differences were observed between groups in the functional domain. CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, who have improved functional capacity at discharge, also experience an improved QOL, with no such improvement noted among patients who have stable or reduced functional capacity. We recommend that the treatment protocol for hospitalized patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation include an exercise program aimed at improving functional capacity.

Efeito da prática regular de atividade física na qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde de hipertensos resistentes / Effect of regular physical activity on health-related quality of life of resistant hypertensive patients

Introdução: Hipertensos resistentes apresentam pior qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde em relação aos pacientes com hipertensão arterial sistêmica. A prática regular de exercícios físicos melhora essa qualidade de vida de pacientes com hipertensão arterial sistêmica. Assim, é possível que a atividade física melhore a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde dos hipertensos resistentes. Objetivo: Avaliar os efeitos da prática regular de atividade física na qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde de pacientes com hipertensão arterial resistente. Material e Métodos: Foram avaliados 38 pacientes, de ambos os gêneros, diagnosticados com hipertensão arterial resistente, divididos nos grupos ativo (n=19, 64±7 anos) e sedentário (n=19, 56±10 anos). Foi considerado fisicamente ativo o paciente que praticava exercício físico por pelo menos três vezes por semana, com duração mínima de duas horas semanais, por período superior a quatro meses. Foi utilizado o teste t de Student para amostras independentes, com nível de significância de p<0,05. Resultados: A qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde foi significativamente maior no grupo Ativo em relação ao grupo Sedentário para os domínios capacidade funcional (69±25 vs. 44±22 pontos, p<0,01), dor (66±23 vs. 49±22 pontos, p=0,03), estado geral de saúde (61±16 vs. 52±9 pontos, p=0,03), vitalidade (69±20 vs. 43±22 pontos, p<0,01), limitação por aspectos físicos (75±38 vs. 40±34 pontos, p<0,01) e saúde mental (76±24 vs. 53±26 pontos, p=0,01), respectivamente. Os grupos Ativo e Sedentário foram semelhantes para os domínios aspectos sociais (74±24 vs. 68±28 pontos, p=0,54) e limitação por aspectos emocionais (63±38 vs. 40±36 pontos, p=0,07), respectivamente. Conclusão: A prática regular de atividade física parece melhorar a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde de hipertensos resistentes.

Introduction: Resistant hypertensive patients have worse health-related quality of life than patients with systemic arterial hypertension. Regular exercise improves this quality of life of patients with systemic arterial hypertension. Thus, it is possible that physical activity increases the health-related quality of life of resistant hypertensive patients. Objective: To test the hypothesis that regular physical activity improves the health-related quality of life of patients with resistant hypertension. Material and methods: Were evaluated 38 patients, male and famale, diagnosed with resistant hypertension, divided into Active (n=19, 64±7 years old) and Sedentary (n=19, 56±10 years old) groups. The patient who was physically active for at least three times a week, with a minimum duration of two hours per week for more than four months, was considered physically active. And, considered sedentary, the patient who had not practiced exercise regularly for at least six months. Student's t test for independent samples was used and considered significant p <0.05. Results: Health-related quality of life was significantly higher in the Active group compared to the Sedentary group for the domains functional capacity (69±25 vs. 44±22 points, p<0.01), pain (66±23 vs. 49±22 points, p=0.03), general health (61±16 vs. 52±9 points, p=0.03), vitality (69±20 vs. 43±22 points, p<0.01), limitation by physical aspects (75±38 vs. 40±34 points, p<0.01) and mental health (76±24 vs. 53±26 points, p=0.01), respectively. And, the Active and Sedentary groups were similar for the domains social aspects (74±24 vs. 68±28 points, p=0.54) and limitation by emotional aspects (63±38 vs. 40±36 points, p=0.07), respectively. Conclusion: Regular physical activity improves the health-related quality of life of patients with resistant hypertension.

Efeitos do treinamento muscular inspiratório no controle autonômico: revisão sistemática / Los efectos del entrenamiento muscular inspiratorio en el control autonómico: la revisión sistemática / Effects of inspiratory muscle training on autonomic control: systematic review

RESUMO A disfunção do sistema nervoso autônomo tem papel importante na fisiopatologia de diversas doenças. Uma possível maneira de melhorar o controle autonômico é o treinamento muscular inspiratório (TMI), sendo o objetivo deste estudo revisar sistematicamente a literatura disponível sobre os efeitos desta modalidade. Dois revisores buscaram ensaios clínicos controlados e randomizados nas bases de dados MEDLINE, PEDro, SciELO e LILACS, avaliando também sua qualidade metodológica (escala de PEDro). Foram encontrados 181 artigos e, após verificar os critérios de elegibilidade, foram incluídos quatro pesquisas que avaliaram o efeito do TMI sobre o controle autonômico de participantes com fatores de risco para doenças cardiovasculares, por meio da variabilidade da frequência cardíaca (VFC) e dos níveis plasmáticos de noradrenalina. O TMI melhorou o controle autonômico em três estudos, reduzindo a atividade nervosa simpática (níveis plasmáticos de noradrenalina; LF u.n. - VFC) e aumentando a atividade nervosa vagal (HF u.n. - VFC). Conclui-se que o TMI parece ser uma alternativa terapêutica para melhorar o controle autonômico.

RESUMEN La disfunción del sistema nervioso autonómico tiene el papel importante en la fisiopatología de diversas enfermedades. Una posible manera de mejorar el control autonómico es el entrenamiento muscular inspiratorio (TMI), siendo el objetivo del presente estudio revisar sistemáticamente la literatura disponible sobre los efectos de esta modalidad de entrenamiento sobre la función autonómica. Ha sido realizada la búsqueda por ensayos clínicos controlados y aleatorizados en las bases de datos MEDLINE, PEDro, SciELO y LILACS por dos revisores independientes, que también han evaluado la cualidad metodológica (escala de PEDro). Han sido encontrados 181 artículos y, después de certificar los criterios de elegibilidad, han sido incluidos cuatro estudios. Los estudios que han sido incluidos han presentado buena cualidad metodológica y han evaluado el efecto del TMI sobre el control autonómico de los participantes con factores de riesgo para las enfermedades cardiovasculares. El control autonómico ha sido evaluado por el análisis de la variabilidad de la frecuencia cardíaca (VFC) y por medio de los niveles plasmáticos de noradrenalina. El TMI ha mejorado el control autonómico en tres estudios, reduciendo la actividad nerviosa simpática (los niveles plasmáticos de noradrenalina; LF u.n. - VFC) e incrementando la actividad nerviosa vagal (HF u.n. - VFC). Se concluye que el TMI parece ser alternativa terapéutica para mejorar el control autonómico.

ABSTRACT The autonomic nervous system dysfunction has an important role on the physiopathology of some diseases. A possible option to improve the autonomic control is the inspiratory muscle training (IMT). The aim of this study was to systematically review the available literature about the effects of this training modality on autonomic control. A search was performed for controlled and randomized clinical trials on database MEDLINE, PEDro, SciELO and LILACS by two independent reviewers, who also evaluated the methodologic quality (PEDro scale). 181 articles were found and, after elegibility criteria analysis, four studies were included. The included studies showed good methodological quality and assessed the effect of IMT on the autonomic control of participants with risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The autonomic control was evaluated by heart rate variability (HRV) analysis and by noradrenaline plasma levels. The IMT improved autonomic control in 3 studies, reducing the sympathetic nervous system (noradrenaline plasma levels; LF nu - HRV) and increasing the vagal nervous system (HF un - HRV). It is concluded that IMT may be a therapeutic alternative to improve the autonomic control.

Exercício físico após infarto agudo do miocárdio: segurança durante o exercício / Physical exercise after myocardial infarction: safety during exercise

Atualmente, os benefícios da reabilitação cardíaca baseada em exercícios para pacientes após IAM são indiscutíveis a longo prazo. Porém, as sessões de exercício físico aumentam acentuadamente o risco de eventos cardiovasculares através dos mecanismos cardíacos, autonômicos, inflamatórios e vasculares. Portanto, conhecer os aspectos relacionados à fisiopatologia, fisiologia do exercício, avaliação, prescrição do exercício e monitorização dos pacientes pós-IAM, recomendados pelas principais diretrizes de tratamento da doença, é de suma importância. Entre as maneiras de reduzir os riscos durante o exercício físico, destaca-se a estratificação de risco do paciente através da anamnese e teste de esforço físico. Além disso, é indicada a prescrição de exercício físico adequada durante as diferentes fases de reabilitação cardíaca, aumentando a intensidade e volume progressivamente com a evolução clínica do paciente. Também é importante a monitorização dos sinais vitais, da percepção de esforço, de possíveis arritmias e isquemias cardíacas, dependendo da fase da reabilitação cardíaca. Com essas medidas, os números de eventos cardíacos fatais e não-fatais indicam que a reabilitação cardíaca baseada em exercícios é considerada segura, desde que sejam seguidas as indicações e contraindicações relativas e absolutas para a prática de exercício físico em indivíduos pós-IAM

he long-term benefits of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation for AMI patients are now indisputable. However, physical exercise sessions markedly increase the risk of cardiovascular events through cardiac, autonomic, inflammatory and vascular mechanisms. Therefore, it is important to recognize the aspects related to the pathophysiology, exercise physiology, evaluation, exercise prescription and monitoring of post-AMI patients, as recommended by the main guidelines for the treatment of the disease. Among the ways to reduce the risks during physical exercise, we highlight risk stratification of the patient through anamnesis and the physical exercise test. Prescription of adequate physical exercise during the different phases of cardiac rehabilitation is also indicated, progressively increasing the intensity and volume according to the clinical evolution of the patient. It is also important to monitor the vital signs, perceived exertion, and possible cardiac ischemias and arrhythmias, depending on the phase of cardiac rehabilitation. With these measures, the numbers of fatal and nonfatal cardiac events indicate that exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation is considered safe, provided the relative and absolute indications and contraindications to the practice of physical exercise in post-AMI patients are followed

Cardiac Autonomic Dysfunction in Offspring of Hypertensive Parents During Exercise.

Offspring of hypertensive parents present autonomic dysfunction at rest and during physiological maneuvers. However, the cardiac autonomic modulation during exercise remains unknown. This study tested whether the cardiac autonomic modulation would be reduced in offspring of hypertensive parents during exercise. Fourteen offspring of hypertensive and 14 offspring of normotensive individuals were evaluated. The groups were matched by age (24.5±1.0 vs. 26.6±1.5 years; p=0.25) and BMI (22.8±0.6 vs. 24.2±1.0 kg/m2; p=0.30). Blood pressure and heart rate were assessed simultaneously during 3 min at baseline followed by 3-min isometric handgrip at 30% of maximal voluntary contraction. Cardiac autonomic modulation was evaluated using heart rate variability. Primary variables were subjected to two-way ANOVA (group vs. time). P value<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Blood pressure and heart rate were similar between groups during exercise protocol. In contrast, offspring of hypertensive subjects showed a reduction of SDNN (Basal=34.8±3.5 vs. 45.2±3.7 ms; Exercise=30.8±3.3 vs. 41.5±3.9 ms; p group=0.01), RMSSD (Basal=37.1±3.7 vs. 52.0±6.0 ms; Exercise=28.6±3.4 vs. 41.9±5.3 ms; p group=0.02) and pNN50 (Basal=15.7±4.0 vs. 29.5±5.5%; Exercise=7.7±2.4 vs. 18.0±4.3%; p group=0.03) during the exercise protocol in comparison with offspring of normotensive parents. We concluded that normotensive offspring of hypertensive parents exhibit impaired cardiac autonomic modulation during exercise.

Baroreflex gain and vasomotor sympathetic modulation in resistant hypertension.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the gain and latency of arterial baroreflex control of heart rate in patients with resistant hypertension compared to patients with essential hypertension and normotensive subjects. METHODS: Eighteen patients with resistant hypertension (56 ± 10 years, mean of four antihypertensive drugs), 17 patients with essential hypertension (56 ± 11 years, mean of two antihypertensive drugs), and 17 untreated normotensive controls (50 ± 15 years) were evaluated by spectral analysis of the spontaneous fluctuations of arterial pressure (beat-to-beat) and heart rate (ECG). This analysis estimated vasomotor and cardiac autonomic modulations, respectively. The transfer function analysis quantified the gain and latency of the response of output signal (RR interval) per unit of spontaneous change of input signal (systolic arterial pressure). RESULTS: The gain was similarly lower in patients with resistant hypertension and patients with essential hypertension in relation to normotensive subjects (4.67 ± 2.96 vs. 6.60 ± 3.30 vs. 12.56 ± 8.81 ms/mmHg; P < 0.01, respectively). However, the latency of arterial baroreflex control of heart rate was significantly higher only in patients with resistant hypertension when compared to patients with essential hypertension and normotensive subjects (-4.01 ± 3.19 vs. -2.91 ± 2.10 vs. -1.82 ± 1.09 s; P = 0.04, respectively). In addition, the index of vasomotor sympathetic modulation was significantly increased only in patients with resistant hypertension when compared to patients with essential hypertension and normotensive subjects (4.04 ± 2.86 vs. 2.65 ± 1.88 vs. 2.06 ± 1.70 mmHg2; P < 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with resistant hypertension have reduced gain and increased latency of arterial baroreflex control of heart rate. These patients also have increased vasomotor sympathetic modulation.