The authors investigated 155 patients, mean age 50.6 years, after revascularization of the myocardium. The group was divided at random into a group with a high intensity of physical rehabilitation (A) and a medium and low rehabilitation group (B). The rehabilitation programme comprised physical exercise at least three times per week for at least 30 mins. with a dynamic load up to 80% of the maximum heart rate in group A and up to 40% in group B. The mean initial haemodynamic indicators in both groups were equal (LVEDP 17.5 mm Hg and 16.5 resp. and EF 52.3% and 50.5% resp. in group A and B). Six months after revascularization the mean values of work tolerance increased in group A more than in group B (58.6 kJ, as compared with 44.2 kJ) and this difference is even greater after three years (70.4 kJ as compared with 51.5 kJ). The mean values of the ejection fraction (EF) at rest do not differ in the two groups after 6 months nor after 3 years (51.3% in group A, as compared with 54.6% in group B after 6 months, and 55.2% vs. 53.7% resp. after three years). The EF after a dynamic load after 6 months and 3 years does not differ in the two groups either (57.2% vs. 56.4% after 6 months and 55.1% vs. 54.5% after three years). Similar results were also obtained on evaluation of the mobility index of the walls at rest and after a dynamic load.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Keywords: Echocardiography; Exercise Therapy; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Middle Aged; Myocardial Revascularization /rehabilitation/; Physical Endurance; Stroke Volume