Cardiac rehabilitation for participants with implantable cardiac devices: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Aim

The aim is to discuss efficacy and safety of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programmes in participants with implantable cardiac devices compared with usual care.

Methods

MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases were searched from inspection till July 15, 2022. Randomized controlled trials were included if they enrolled adult participants with implantable cardiac devices and tested exercise-based CR interventions in comparison with any control. Risk of bias was assessed, and endpoints data were pooled using random-effects model.

Results

Sixteen randomized trials enrolling 2053 participants were included. Study interventions differed between studies in terms of programme components, setting, exercise intensity, and follow-up. All studies included physical exercise component. In both implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) groups, exercise training in CR programmes improved peak oxygen uptake (VO₂) [(mean difference (MD) 2.08 ml/kg/min; 95 % CI: 1.44–2.728, p < 0.0001; I² = 99 %) and (MD 2.24 ml/kg/min; 95 % CI: 1.43–3.04, p < 0.0001; I² = 96 %), respectively] and 6-min walk test in ICD group (MD 41.51 m; 95 % CI: 15.19–67.82 m, p = 0.002; I² = 95 %) compared with usual care. In CRT group, there was no statistically significant improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction change between comparison groups. The results were consistent in subgroup analysis according to high or low-to-moderate exercise intensity for change in peak VO₂ and ejection fraction in CRT group. There was no difference in number of ICD shocks between the comparators.

Conclusion

Exercise-based CR programmes appear to be safe when enrolling participants with implantable cardiac devices and leading to favourable functional outcomes.