Exercise for Elderly Peripheral Revascularized Patients

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) patients with critical limb-threatening ischemia have improved peripheral circulation following infrainguinal revascularization. Despite this hemodynamic benefit, little change in functional status occurs, and many patients have residual ambulatory dysfunction. The lack of functional improvement in revascularized patients may be due to extreme physical deconditioning secondary to their pre-existing critical limb-threatening ischemia. Therefore, we hypothesize that a program of aerobic exercise training is necessary to optimize ambulation, free-living daily physical activity, and health-related quality of life through the mechanisms of improved walking economy, peripheral circulation, and cardiopulmonary function.

This is a prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial comparing an exercise group undergoing a program of graded treadmill walking, and a non-exercise control group. Eighty PAD patients will be randomized into either the exercise group (N = 40) or the non-exercise control group (N = 40) following successful lower extremity arterial bypass or angioplasty. The 3-month exercise program will consist of graded treadmill walking 3 times per week with progressive increments in exercise duration from 15 to 40 minutes, and progressive increments in exercise intensity from 50 to 80% of exercise capacity.