IntroductionCardiac rehabilitation improves disease-related symptoms, quality of life, and clinical outcomes. This study was done to evaluate the effect of cardiac rehabilitation program on cardiovascular risk factors in chronic heart failure patients as well as functional capacity and health related quality of life.MethodsThe study was conducted on 80 Patients with chronic stable heart failure. All patients had full history and thorough physical examination. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid profile, and echocardiography, all of which were done before and after recruitment in a 2 months cardiac rehabilitation program (through prescribed exercise training, 2 sessions/week for 2 months). The changes in functional capacity were evaluated by 6-min walk test (6MWT) and the changes in the health related quality of life were measured by Minnesota living with heart failure questionnaire (MLHFQ), both were done before and after the rehabilitation program.ResultsThere was a highly significant reduction in the blood pressure, heart rate, BMI, waist circumference, the smokers’ number and the glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (P < 0.01). However, there was no statistically significant reductions in low density lipoproteins (LDL), Triglycerides (P > 0.05). Highly significant improvements were noted in the functional capacity and the health related quality of life as evidenced by improvement in the 6MWT and the MLHFQ scores (total score, physical and psychological domains, P < 0.01).ConclusionCardiac rehabilitation had a significant improvement of cardiovascular risk factors, functional capacity and Health related quality of life in patients with chronic heart failure.

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Background interactions between the heart and the liver have been described. The presence and severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was found to be associated with increased QTc interval and subclinical cardiac abnormalities. Aim of the work is to evaluate the electrocardiographic (ECG) and echocardiographic changes in patients with NAFLD and its correlation with disease severity. Patients and Methods this study was conducted on 50 NAFLD patients and 50 controls. Clinical, laboratory, ultrasonographic examinations were done for all included subjects together with liver biopsies. ECG and ECHO were also performed. Results longer corrected QT was found in the NAFLD group in comparison to controls (406.6±26.8 msec and 380.0±24.5 msec respectively). Significant correlation between QTc and liver size, grade of steatosis and NAFLD activity score (NAS) was found. 16% and 8% of NAFLD patients had diastolic and valvular dysfunctions respectively. Conclusion NAFLD is associated with significant QTc prolongation and structural heart changes with significant correlation between QTc and disease severity.

Corrsponding author: Mahmoud Saied Mahmoud Badr. E-mail: mahmoudsaeed716@grnail.com