Background and Objectives: Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV) is a good surrogate of the arterial aging. This is an independent biomarker of cardiovascular events (ESH-ESC Guidelines 2013). PWV seems to be reduced with regular exercise. The effect of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is less known on this biomarker. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a CR program on arterial stiffness measured by pulse wave velocity (PWV).

Patients and Methods: Data from 100 consecutive patients recruited in a French CR centre were analyzed after exclusion for High variability cv > 30 % and aberrant values PWV>30 m/s. The finger-toe PWV was measured with a new validated device (pOpmètre^®-AxelifeSAS-France) at the beginning and the end of CR (mean duration =18.3±4 days). They were measured at the same time and under the same recommended conditions.

Results: Patients (Mean age 64±11 years, 84% males), were coronary artery disease (51%), valvular (38%), heart failure (3%) and other (8%). The classical cardio vascular risk factors were the following: 1- current smoking (n=3), 2- Diabetes (n=26), 3- high blood pressure (n=58), 4- high blood cholesterol (n=48), There were also obesity (n=15) coronary heredity (n=19) sedentary lifestyle (n=20). They took part in 155 physical training sessions (mean duration 120 min/day) The maximal workload (MWL) increased from 94.9±35 to 116±37 Watts and the 6min walking test (6MWT) from 430±113 to 505±106 m (p<0.0001). PWV decreased from 9.16±3.0 to 8.39±2.5 m/s (p<0.008). We found a positive correlation with age (r=0.38 p<0.0003) and inverse correlation with maximal workload (r=−0.34 p<0.001) and 6MWT (r=−0.22 p<0.003).

Conclusion: Maximal physical capacity and 6MWT correlated with PWV measured with pOpmètre, and a current CR program seems to improve the arterial stiffness in a cardiac population.