Post aortic dissection: Gap between activity recommendation and real life patients aerobic capacities

Back ground: Regular exercise at a safe level, i.e. 3-5 metabolic equivalents, is recommended to improve blood pressure control and quality of life even after aortic dissection, although aerobic exercise capacities in these patients are unexplored yet.

Methods: We prospectively collected data from 105 patients with a history of post aortic dissection referred for a cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) aiming to guide exercise rehabilitation.

Results: The population was composed of 76% of male, with a mean age of 57.9±12.4years. There were an equal distribution between the two type of dissection (47% of type A and 53% of type B aortic dissection). No cardiac event occurred during or after CPX. One third of patients have normal aerobic exercise capacity defined as peak oxygen uptake upper than 85% of their predicted capacity. Mean oxygen uptake peak was quite low 19.2±5.2ml/kg/min (5.5±1.5 metabolic equivalents). Aerobic capacity was limited by cardiac chronotropic incompetence in 42% or peripheral deconditioning in 45%. Blood pressure remained in an acceptable range during the exercise. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were respectively 151±20 and 77±13mmHg at first ventilatory threshold.

Conclusions: CPX is a safe exploration in patients with post aortic dissection syndrome. Given the fact that most of these patients are faced with significant alteration of aerobic capacities, the recommended daily practice of moderate exercise at 3-5 METS should be adapted and personalized to each patient thanks to CPX.