Efficacy and safety of hybrid cardiac telerehabilitation in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy without left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and preserved ejection fraction: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND

Exercise capacity is frequently reduced in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), but structured training has historically been limited due to concerns about arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Recent data suggest that supervised, individualized exercise may be safe in selected patients; however, evidence for hybrid cardiac telerehabilitation (HCT) in non-obstructive HCM remains lacking.

AIMS: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a 12-week HCT program in patients with non-obstructive HCM and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction.

METHODS

In this single-center randomized controlled trial, 60 patients were allocated (1:1) to HCT or usual care. The HCT program consisted of supervised center-based exercise sessions combined with remotely monitored home training. The primary endpoint was the change in peak oxygen uptake (pVO₂) after 3 months. Secondary endpoints included changes in 6-minute walk distance, perceived health status, and safety parameters. Follow-up continued for 12 months after program completion.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight patients completed the 3-month assessment (HCT n = 28; control n = 30). HCT resulted in a significantly greater improvement in pVO₂ compared with usual care (between-group difference: +1.35 ml/kg/min; P <0.01). Additional significant improvements were observed in 6-minute walk test distance. Perceived health status improved in both groups, with a greater increase in the HCT group. No serious adverse events occurred, and adherence to the training program was high.

CONCLUSIONS

HCT is feasible, safe, and effective in improving functional capacity and perceived health status in carefully selected patients with non-obstructive HCM. These findings support the use of structured, telemonitored exercise training in low-risk HCM populations, although larger multicenter trials are needed to confirm generalizability.