Improved endothelial function and reversal of myocardial perfusion defects after aerobic physical training in a patient with microvascular myocardial ischemia

Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2011 Jan;90(1):59-64. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0b013e3181ddd6bb.

Abstract

The objective of this report is to document the effects of an aerobic training program on myocardial perfusion, and endothelial function abnormalities, and on the relief of angina in a patient with microvascular myocardial ischemia. A 53-year-old female patient exhibited precordial pain on effort and angiographically normal coronaries. Her symptoms had been present for 4 yrs despite pharmacologic treatment for the control of risk factors, with myocardial perfusion scintigraphy revealing an extensive reversible perfusion defect. She was submitted to aerobic training for 4 mos, obtaining significant improvement of the anginal symptoms. Additionally, after the aerobic training program, scintigraphy revealed the disappearance of the myocardial perfusion defect, with a marked improvement of endothelium-dependent vasodilatory response and an improved quality-of-life score. These results suggest that aerobic training can improve endothelial function, leading to a reduction of ischemia and an improved quality-of-life in patients with microvascular myocardial ischemia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Endothelium, Vascular / physiopathology*
  • Exercise*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Microvascular Angina / diagnosis
  • Microvascular Angina / rehabilitation
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocardial Ischemia / physiopathology
  • Myocardial Ischemia / rehabilitation*
  • Myocardial Perfusion Imaging*
  • Quality of Life
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon