Table 1 Inclusion and exclusion criteria for the INTERFARCT study
Inclusion criteria |
- MI type I: Spontaneous MI [1], with and without ST elevation |
- Effective revascularization treatment (coronary artery bypass grafting or percutaneous coronary intervention) |
- Age ≥ 18 years, clinically stable on sinus rhythm |
- Between six months and two years after the MI |
- Left ventricular ejection fraction > 50% |
- Time availability (45 min, two days a week for 16 weeks) to carry out the exercise program |
Exclusion criteria |
- Unstable coronary artery disease, uncontrolled hypertension, malignant ventricular arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, exercise-induced ischemia, and ventricular failure during exercise |
- Other significant medical conditions including, but not limited to: chronic or recurrent respiratory, gastrointestinal, neuromuscular, neurological, or psychiatric conditions; musculoskeletal problems interfering with exercise; severe kidney disease (creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min, calculated in accordance with Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation [MDRD]), autoimmune or collagen vascular diseases; immunodeficiency diseases or a positive human immunodeficiency virus test; anemia (hemoglobin < 12 g/dL), bleeding disorders, chronic thrombotic disorders, or hypercoagulable states; malignancies in the past five years, with the exception of skin cancer therapeutically controlled; endocrine and metabolic disorders, including type 1 diabetes; moderate to severe peripheral artery disease (> IIa in Fontaine’s classification); any other medical condition or disease that is life-threatening or that can interfere with or be aggravated by exercise |
- Any other co-morbidity with life expectancy < 1 year |
- Could not perform a valid baseline exercise test - Obesity > 35 kg/m2 |
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding |
- Plans to be out of the city > 2 weeks |