[Changes in sympathetic activity in 18 postinfarct patients following a year of exercise therapy].

18 male post-infarction patients (56 +/- 9 years) were investigated before and after 1 year of controlled physical therapy. Results were compared with those observed in 7 healthy male control subjects (47 +/- 6 years). Left-ventricular impairment of the investigated patients corresponded haemodynamically to stages I and II of the Roskamm-Reindell classification, based on a Swan-Ganz catheter. The influence of physical therapy on plasma catecholamine levels was evaluated; free plasma catecholamines are seen as reference indicators of sympathetic activity. Cycling performance capacity (supine position) of the patients increased from 101 +/- 25 watt to 131 +/- 24 watt. Before and after physical therapy, maximal heart rate responses were similar (121 +/- 17 as compared with 119 +/- 16 min-1). After physical therapy, maximal noradrenaline responses were 16% lower, adrenaline responses down by 25%, and mean arterial blood pressure was 14 mm Hg lower. At identical work-load (50 watt level), reductions after physical therapy amounted to 25% (noradrenaline), 41% (adrenaline), 16% (heart rate), and 21 mm Hg (mean arterial blood pressure).