Safety and efficacy of high intensity interval training in a patient with acute pulmonary embolism

High-Intensity Interval Training in Patients with Pulmonary Embolism: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Therefore, a future study, including more patients with longer follow-up and additional assessments of RV structure and function, is necessary to confirm this finding, and the interpretation of this finding should be considered with caution. Our finding is in line with previous studies that showed a supervised exercise CR program improved RV function in single case diagnosed with acute PE (10), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients (34), patients with post coronary artery bypass graft surgery (35), and patients with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension and inoperable chronic thrombo-embolic pulmonary hypertension (36). Of interest, the HIIT-induced adaptation in RV/LV diameter ratio is consistent with that seen after medical therapy, showing that the percentage reduction after ultrasound-assisted thrombolysis was −33% and −39% at 72 h and 90 d, respectively, when compared with baseline (37).…”

“…In line with previous studies on the safety of HIIT in a CR setting for patients with CVD (10,(18)(19)(20)(21) and exercise-based CR after PE (11,12), we observed good acceptability and tolerability by all of the patients in the HIIT group, and no symptoms of dyspnea, chest pain, or serious adverse events were recorded. This finding may be allied to several factors, including the supervision during the HIIT sessions that helped patients feel safe and the patients' motivation to complete the training schedule through deriving enjoyment from the effects of HIIT intervention on psychological and physical fitness parameters.…”

“…Patients randomized to the intervention group performed HIIT in the morning, 3 times a week for 8 wk (24 training sessions), under the individual supervision of an exercise physiologist. The present training protocol showed its efficacy previously in a single case study (10). All the training sessions were performed on a treadmill and a cycle ergometer.…”

“…Although there is no evident treatment paradigm for the post-PE syndrome, cardiac rehabilitation (CR) seems to be safe and may be expected to counteract these impairments. Although there are still many unknowns about CR in patients with PE, CR was safe, not associated with adverse events (10)(11)(12)(13)(14), and effective to improve exercise capacity in PE patients (10,13). In the last decade, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is now recognized in CR exercise guidelines as an appropriate and efficient model for improving cardiovascular health (15).…”

“…HIIT is performed at intervals of 1 to 4 min and consists of repeated intense exercise bouts separated by passive or active recovery. HIIT is well established in the standard CR setting (15)(16)(17) and appears to be safe, feasible, well tolerated, and an effective CR modality in cardiac patients (10,(18)(19)(20)(21).…”