Abstract

This paper assesses the impact of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on the effects of early post-discharge (Phase II) cardiac rehabilitation in post-myocardial infarction patients. The study involved 47 post-MI patients, of whom 21 had T2DM (Group I) and 26 did not have diabetes (Group II). Clinical symptoms and exercise test results according to the modified Bruce protocol were analysed at baseline and after 3 weeks of rehabilitation. HR and BP responses to exercise were evaluated along with metabolic expense and exercise duration. Both groups had a similar frequency of significant co-morbidities: arterial hypertension (76% in Group I and 73% in Group II) and lipid disorders (67% vs. 76%). Obesity was only found in Group II (36%). Both groups included patients after STEMI (75% in Group I vs. 69% in Group II) with no post-MI complications. The rehabilitation resulted in a significant improvement of exercise tolerance, which rose by 15% in METs, 20% in Watts, with test duration increasing by 13% in Group I, compared to 17%, 28%, and 16%, respectively, in Group II. Early post-discharge cardiac rehabilitation had a beneficial effect on exercise tolerance. In post-MI patients, type 2 diabetes diminishes the beneficial effects of rehabilitation.

Key words:

Diabetes Mellitus, Myocardial Infarction, phase II of cardiac rehabilitation