Heart Cycle GEx (Guided- Exercise- Main Trial)

This is a multicenter study, including 150 patients in three countries comparing data from standard care given in each country and the data received by using the new GEx- system. In Germany during the rehabilitation process of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) patients in hospital (phase II, about three weeks)50 patients are recruited, including 25 using the innovative System and 25 in a control group not using the new Guided Exercise System). Patients of the interventional group are made familiar with the Guided Exercise System during exercise training in hospital (phase II).

This Guided Exercise (GEx-)- System consists of a easy to wear- vest with integrated electrodes to measure ECG, respiration and activity, furthermore of a PDA mobile phone with a touch screen for interaction with the patient and a patient station as interface between the personal digital assistant(PDA) and the professional station able to synchronize exercise plans prescribed by professionals and extract the monitored data from the PDA and upload it to the professional system using an internet connection.

Both intervention and control group undergo a baseline evaluation and an end evaluation including tests of the clinical routine like cardiopulmonary test (CPX), echocardiography and lactate measurement. They will also answer questionnaires referring to quality of life and the use of the system. During the training phase at home the interventional group will test the supervised training system during endurance training such as running, biking or walking and during resistance training such as performing exercise with rubber bands (at least 3x a week for about 5 months according to the generated prescription plan during training at the hospital). They will report their daily activity by diary. The control group will only report their physical activities by diary without using the Gex- System. At the end data are investigated to determine the feasibility to determine possible improvement obtained in long-term adherence to home- based rehabilitation programs when following a guided exercise training prescription supervised by the GEx- System.

Inclusion criteria

• patients suffering from CAD and presenting after an acute myocardial infarction or elective coronary intervention
• EF > 30%
• patients willing to exercise
• with a preference for walking / running / cycling
• patients eligible for the normal local rehabilitation programs
• ability to use computer and internet
• adults who are contractually capable and mentally able to understand and follow the instructions of study personnel
• signed informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Severe congestive heart failure New York Heart Association (NYHA) III/IV
• slow healing wounds
• pregnancy and breast feeding