Orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) represents an effective alternative for individuals with end-stage heart disease. The current literature reports only the responses of OHT patients to greater than or equal to 4 mo of exercise training (ET) and frequently lacks adequate controls. Most programs currently treating OHT patients usually provide 6-12 wk of ET. This study describes the effects of a 10-wk supervised ET program in 12 male OHT patients and 5 other male OHT patients who served as a comparison group. Graded exercise tests were performed before and after ET. After ET, maximal O2 consumption was significantly greater for the ET group than the comparison group (P less than 0.05) and the mean increase in peak heart rate was 18 +/- 4 and 6 +/- 4 (SE) min-1 for ET and comparison groups, respectively (P less than 0.05). Maximal ventilation was also significantly greater for the ET group at after ET, while resting heart rate and blood pressure and peak blood pressure, O2 pulse, respiratory rate, and ventilatory equivalents for O2 and CO2 were not significantly changed. We conclude that after OHT a 10-wk ET program improves maximal O2 consumption and, by improving peak heart rate, improves O2 delivery.

Introduction The High-Fidelity (HiFi) interface is an emerging transfemoral interface technology. However, no comparison of this interface to traditional transfemoral interface designs is currently available. The purpose of this study is to measure the effects of the HiFi system on gait and perceived disability compared with a traditional socket design in a subject with transfemoral amputation. Methods The subject was first tested with a traditional ischial containment socket, then fit with the HiFi system, and tested again after a 30-day accommodation period. Three-dimensional motion analysis was performed using an 8-camera Vicon Motion Capture system. The Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire v2.0 and Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis index were administered at initial and secondary testing to evaluate perceived disability. A one-way analysis of variance and Fischer's least significant difference were used to determine statistical difference between conditions. The level of significance for all tests was set at P ≤ 0.05. Results Notable results included an increase in self-selected gait velocity, prosthetic hip adduction, and hip extension. Reductions in lateral center of mass deviation during gait and in perceived disability was also shown with use of the HiFi condition. Discussion This study analyzed the effects of the HiFi Interface System on biomechanical parameters of gait and perceived disability compared with a baseline IRC condition in this elderly subject with history of TF amputation. Several improvements and markers of increased stability with use of the HiFi were noted. Perceived disability was also greatly improved comparatively. Conclusions The HiFi Interface System presented some biomechanical advantages to traditional IRC socket designs in this case, which may allow for increased stability in patients utilizing a TF prosthesis. Further research with larger samples is warranted.