Echocardiographic follow-up after cardiac rehabilitation designed for patients with obesity

Abstract Aim We hypothesized that a novel state of the art cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program designed for patients with obesity (OPTICARE XL CR) has better outcomes as compared to standard CR regarding parameters of cardiac function as measured by conventional and advanced transthoracic echocardiography. Methods OPTICARE XL CR is an open-label, randomized controlled trial. Inclusion criteria were: patients referred to CR with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2, and age ≥ 18 years with either coronary artery disease or nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. The experimental group participated in the novel one year OPTICARE XL CR and the controls received the 6–12 weeks multi-disciplinary exercise-based standard CR program. Subjects randomized to OPTICARE XL CR underwent behavioural therapy for a healthy diet and an active lifestyle for the first 12 weeks. Also, the exercise program was designed for patients with obesity. Furthermore, a behavioural after-care program was organized with 6 meetings between weeks 13–52. Transthoracic (speckle tracking) echocardiography was performed at baseline and one-year follow-up. Results A total of 42 patients completed the follow-up, 21 in both groups. There was a mild but statistically significant reduction in weight over time, however, this was comparable between groups. There was no improvement observed in any of the echocardiographic parameters. Conclusion Cardiac function in patients with obesity did not improve one-year after a novel state of the art CR program (OPTICARE XL CR) as compared to standard CR.