PURPOSE: Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (EBCR) has been demonstrated to improve functional capacity in heart failure (HF). However, there are limited data on the effect of EBCR in patients with advanced HF and left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). This meta-analysis sought to evaluate the effects of EBCR on functional capacity in patients with LVAD. METHODS: PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for randomized studies assessing the impact of EBCR in patients following LVAD implantation compared with standard therapy (ST). Using pre-defined criteria, appropriate studies were identified and selected. Data from selected studies were extracted in a standardized fashion and a meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model with der Simonian Liard weighting. Analysis employed weighted mean difference (WMD) as the effect size and intention-to-treat (ITT) principle. Study quality, publication bias, and heterogeneity were assessed. RESULTS: Six trials with a total of 183 patients (EBCR 125; ST 58) were identified. Mean age was 51 years and 83% were males. The initiation of EBCR varied from LVAD implantation during the index hospitalization to 10 mo post-LVAD implantation. The median rehabilitation period ranged from 6 to 10 wk. Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation was associated with improved peak oxygen uptake (VO2) in all trials. Quantitative analysis was performed on 3 randomized studies involving 61 patients (EBCR = 39, ST = 22). Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation was associated with significantly greater peak VO2 (WMD 3.00 mL/kg/min; 95% CI 0.64 to 5.35, p = 0.001). Similarly, 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) showed significantly greater improvement in the EBCR group than in the ST group (WMD 60.06 m; 95% CI 22.61 to 97.50, p = 0.002). Heterogeneity was low among the included trials. Exclusion sensitivity and per-protocol analysis demonstrated results consistent with ITT analysis. None of the included studies reported serious adverse events related to EBCR, which supports the safety of EBCR after LVAD implantation. CONCLUSION: This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated that EBCR following LVAD implantation is associated with greater improvement in functional capacity compared with ST as reflected by improved peak VO2 and 6MWD. However, given the small number of patients, further research into the clinical impact of EBCR in LVAD patients is necessary.
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