RESUMO
In order to study long term results of passive training sessions in myocardial infarction in older patients with the use of electromyostimulation (EMS) of skeletal muscles (the PATRIARCH Study) we examined 94 patients with acute myocardial infarction (IM) older than 60 years. Among patients subjected to EMS training we distinguished groups with age 60-69 years (n=19) and older than 70 years (n=32). Control groups also contained patients aged 60-69 years (n=19), and older than 70 years (n=25). For training we used "Myorhythm-040" apparatus. During 2 hours of a training session we stimulated rectus muscle of abdomen, back extensors, buttocks, quadriceps muscle of thigh, muscles of calf. In hospital course of EMS led to improvement of strength and endurance of skeletal muscles in patients older than 70 years. Strength and endurance of skeletal muscles at discharge from hospital was among factors influencing 5 year survival of patients with MI in older age groups (together with Killip heart failure class and left ventricular ejection fraction). EMS facilitated improvement of results of treatment of patients of main group during 5 years of follow up. Effect on prognosis requires elaboration in studies with greater number of patients.
