The goal is to test the ability to detect improved calf muscle perfusion and energetics in PAD patients in a randomized controlled trial of home exercise therapy. Eighty patients will be randomized to a 12 week home exercise program or no program (control).
The goal is to test the ability to detect improved calf muscle perfusion and energetics in PAD patients in a randomized controlled trial of home exercise therapy. Eighty patients will be randomized to a 12 week home exercise program or no program (control). Patients will be studied before and after program completion with MRI/MRS, calf muscle biopsy for capillary density, and exercise performance measures. Arterial spin labeling peak exercise calf muscle perfusion will be used as the primary endpoint in the most symptomatic leg. All will undergo ASL, peak exercise PCr recovery kinetics, calf muscle biopsy, and functional measures including treadmill exercise, VO2 testing, and 6-minute walk. Correlations will be examined between changes in perfusion and energetics with changes in capillary density, peak VO2, and functional capacity from before to after completion of home exercise therapy.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
16
Home exercise therapy
University of Virginia Health System
Charlottesville, Virginia, United States
Exercise calf muscle perfusion
Arterial spin labeling MRI at peak exercise
Time frame: Change from baseline at 12 weeks
Exercise calf muscle energetics
Phosphocreatine recovery kinetics by MR spectroscopy at end exercise
Time frame: Change from baseline at 12 weeks
Calf muscle capillary density
Biopsy sample of calf muscle for capillary density
Time frame: Change from baseline at 12 weeks
Treadmill testing
Treadmill testing with peak VO2 measures
Time frame: Change from baseline at 12 weeks
6-minute walk test
6-minute walk test
Time frame: Change from baseline at 12 weeks
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