The purpose of this observational study was to determine if there is a difference in initial peak oxygen consumption (VO2) in patients with diabetes compared to patients without diabetes admitted into a Phase II cardiac rehab (CR) program. Peak VO2 was assessed in 190 patients (76 diabetic vs. 114 non-diabetic) using a Treadmill Ramp protocol. The two groups were age and weight matched. Inclusion criteria were a diagnosis of ischemic heart disease and diabetes. Entry diagnosis were not different (CABG, MI, Stable Angina) between the two groups. An unpaired T-test was used to calculate significance. The mean peak VO2 for the non-diabetic group was 20.2 ml/kg/min vs. 17.2 for the diabetic group (P = < .0001). The results of this small observational study supports the idea that diabetic patients who have ischemic coronary artery disease enter CR programs with a significantly lower functional capacity when compared to non-diabetics. The positive impact of exercise training on diabetic cardiac patients leads to improved aerobic capacity (VO2), better management of their diabetes and a reduced risk of ongoing coronary problems.
Purpose:
The purpose of this retrospective observational study was to determine if patients with diabetes admitted into the Medical University of Ohio Phase II Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) program achieved an equal peak VO2 compared to non-diabetic patients.
Methods:
Peak oxygen consumption (VO2) was assessed on 76 diabetic and 114 non-diabetic patients with ischemic heart disease. A motorized treadmill was the exercise modality and the Medical Graphics Breeze Suite and Cardiocontrol software utilized for the oxygen uptake and ECG measurements. A ramp protocol was utilized for all measurements. A standard Mason-Likar 12-lead configuration was utilized for ECG recordings. The peak VO2 was determined by using the highest measurement recorded. A mean of every 5 - 7 breaths was utilized. Statview was utilized as the statistical software.
Results:
Unpaired t-test for PreVO2
Grouping Variable: Diabetes Hypothesized Difference = 0
Row exclusion: Diabetes_Data
Conclusions:
Patients with diabetes entering CR had a significantly lower functional capacity when compared to age and weight matched non-diabetic coronary patients. This suggests that the impact of exercise training on diabetic coronary patients could have a greater clinical significance than non-diabetic coronary patients.