Cardiology. 2026 Feb 19:1-12. doi: 10.1159/000551060. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a key component of secondary prevention in patients with coronary artery disease. However, the optimal timing, structure, and feasibility of EBCR initiated during hospitalization following acute myocardial infarction (AMI) treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remain underexplored.
METHODS: The EARMI trial is a multicenter, randomized, parallel-group controlled trial designed to assess the efficacy and safety of a structured, phase-specific CR program initiated within 24 hours post-PCI. This intervention will be implemented across three distinct recovery phases: intensive care unit (ICU), hospital ward, and home-based rehabilitation. Eighty AMI patients will be randomized (1:1) to receive exercise-based CR or usual care. The intervention consists of progressive aerobic and resistance training, with individualized progression tailored to each patient's clinical status. The primary outcomes include left ventricular function (measured by LVEF, LVEDD, LVESD), exercise capacity (assessed by VO2 peak, 6MWT, and METs), and autonomic function (evaluated by HRV). Secondary outcomes include health-related quality of life (assessed by SF-36), metabolic markers, and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).
EXPECTED RESULTS: Over the 12 weeks intervention period, the study is powered to detect clinically significant improvements in myocardial function, exercise tolerance, and autonomic regulation. Safety and feasibility will be assessed through continuous surveillance of adverse events and quantification of adherence rates.
CONCLUSION: The EARMI trial is one of the first studies to evaluate the impact of initiating a structured early-phase CR model during the acute phase of AMI. The findings may provide crucial insights into scalable, time-sensitive rehabilitation strategies for post-AMI recovery and contribute to the integration of CR into modern cardiovascular care pathways.
PMID:41712497 | DOI:10.1159/000551060