We retrospectively studied the association between changes in exercise capacity at discharge from a home-based exercise program and the risk of all-cause mortality among patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) and claudication. The records of 1076 consecutive PAD patients were assessed between 2003 and 2013. The exercise program was prescribed during a few visits and executed at home at symptom-free walking speed. Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) and maximal speed (Smax) on an incremental treadmill test were recorded at baseline and discharge. The number and date of deaths and hospitalizations for a 10-year period were collected from the regional registry. A total of 865 PAD patients completed the program (completers), while 221 left the program for health reasons (n = 128, diseased) or for nonhealth reasons (n = 83, quitters). Among the completers, the mortality rate (27%) was significantly lower (p < 0.001) than that of both the diseased (49 deaths, 38%) and the quitters (45 deaths, 54%). The completers (71 ± 9 years; 88% exercise sessions completed) showed significant improvements in the lowest ABI (from 0.62 ± 0.18 to 0.67 ± 0.19) and Smax (from 3.3 ± 1.1 to 3.8 ± 1.1 km h-1) at discharge. The completers who reached the clinically important difference of Smax ≥ 0.4 km h-1 at follow-up showed a significantly lower mortality risk (25% vs. 30%; HR 0.72; 95% CI 0.55-0.93) as well a lower rate of hospitalizations (p < 0.001). In conclusion, in PAD patients, active participation in a home-based exercise program was associated with a lower rate of death and better long-term clinical outcomes, particularly for those who attained a moderate increase in exercise capacity.
Keywords: Exercise; Exercise testing; Mortality; Peripheral artery disease; Rehabilitation.