Favourable effects of exercise training on N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide plasma levels in elderly patients after acute myocardial infarction

Background: regional or global impairment of left ventricular (LV) systolic or diastolic function leading to increased LV wall stress results in increased circulating levels of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP). Objective: this study aims at evaluating the effect of exercise training (ET) on NT-pro-BNP plasma levels in older patients recovering from acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Design: prospective randomised study. Setting: Academic Medical Centre. Subjects: forty older patients (33 males and 7 females) who experienced AMI. Methods: patients were randomised into two groups, each composed of 20 patients: Group A were enrolled in a 3-month exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programme and Group B were discharged home with generic instructions to continue physical activity. NT-pro-BNP, cardiopulmonary and Doppler-echocardiographic parameters were measured at baseline and at 3-month follow-up. Results: in Group A, ET reduced NT-pro-BNP levels (from 1446 ± 475 to 435 ± 251 pg/ml, P