Coronary Disease and the Effect of High-intensity Interval Training

Physical Activity and Lipid Content of Coronary Artery Atheromatous Plaques: a Randomised Trial Using Novel Intracoronary Imaging Techniques

The primary purpose of this study is to investigate if systematic, high intensity, interval-based aerobic exercise training results in regression of lipid content of atherosclerotic coronary artery plaques, and in reduction of plaque burden in patients with stable coronary heart disease. Composition and morphologic characteristics of plaques will be studied by intra-coronary near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

• stable coronary artery disease
• will undergo cardiac catheterization
• will be treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)
• signed written informed consent
• able to execute the intervention

Exclusion Criteria:

• earlier bypass surgery
• known inflammatory disease other than atherosclerosis
• planned surgery within 4 months
• included in another randomized controlled study