Optimal Exercise-Based Rehabilitation Characteristic in Improving Peak VO2 and Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) on Patients with Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Patients with Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) frequently have lower peak VO2 and LVEF. Several studies showed that regular physical activity increase cardiovascular fitness, lower risk factors, improve endothelial function, and improve overall quality of life in CAD patients. However, no study yet explain the optimal exercise characteristic should be prescript for better changes of peak VO2 and/or LVEF. These advancements may have major clinical consequences to CAD patients, since they increase exercise tolerance, decrease adverse events, and improve prognosis to the normal population. Purpose of study: To determine if exercise training genuinely affects peak VO2 and LVEF in CAD patients and also for CAD patients to increase cardiovascular fitness and lower risk factors thus improve overall quality of life. Methodology: Database and trial registry searches were carried out by applying a PubMed, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscuss search within last 10 years from 2013 to 2023 for exercise training on CAD patients, using the search terms 'exercise training, peak VO2, coronary artery disease patients, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). A total of 263 participants from 5 intervention studies, including 178 exercise groups and 85 control groups, were included in the study. Result: Three studies compared exercise training groups to controls and found that exercisers had a substantial increase in peak VO2 (MD: 3.31 mL/kg/min; CI: 1.25, 5.36; P 0.002). Two studies looked at LVEF in CAD patients and found that exercisers had a higher increase (MD: 3.24 mL/kg/min; CI: -4.01, 10.49; P: 0.38). Conclusion: A comprehensive meta-analysis was conducted to compare the effects of exercise training with control groups in persons diagnosed with coronary artery disease (CAD) and discover substantial cardiovascular benefits. Exercise boosts aerobic capacity and function, which might improve prognosis and tolerance. While the study's influence on left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was inconclusive due to a few trials, it highlights exercise's potential as a CAD therapy, emphasizing the importance of customized treatments for optimum benefits.