Efeitos do treinamento físico no endotélio após cirurgia de revascularização

Abstract

Introduction: The coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) is one of the most common surgeries performed worldwide, many studies have reported the benefits of physical training to improve functional capacity, however there are few studies about the effect of this training on vascular endothelial function. Objective: To analyze the effects of physical training on vascular endothelial function in patients who underwent CABG surgery alone in the last phase of rehabilitation after six months of cardiac rehabilitation program (CRP). Methods: Patients who underwent CABG surgery in a maximum period of one year after surgery were included in the study. The CRP was carried out during six consecutive months, with three sessions per week. All patients underwent biochemical blood tests, muscle strength testing of one repetition maximum (1-RM test) for upper and lower limbs, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and evaluation of endothelial function through the flow-mediated vasodilation technique. Results: Eleven patients started CRP, but only nine patients completed it. The mean age was 66 years old (50 to 82 years old), males being predominant (55.6%). There were significant changes in biochemical laboratory tests: increase on total cholesterol (Baseline: 162 ± 31mg/dL vs. 195 ± 39mg/dL; P=0.012), and decrease on glycated hemoglobin (Baseline: 6.74 ± 1.64% vs. 6.26 ± 1.62%; P=0.028). Muscle strength was significantly increased in upper and lower limbs (P=0.030, and P=0.038, respectively) and in 6MWT we observed a significant increase of 20% in distance traveled (P=0.020) after six consecutive months of training. There was also a flow-mediated vasodilation improvement (6.35 ± 3.92% vs. 9.90 ± 4.19%; P=0.026). Conclusion: The combined training carried out in six months helped to improve endothelial function and functional capacity in sedentary patients submitted to CABG surgery in the last phase of cardiac rehabilitation.