Each patient in the two groups was classified
according to his ability to function (American
Heart Association classification) at the beginning
and at the end of the project. Twelve of the 19
control patients for whom data were available had
no change in functional classification (table 5).
Five had a decrease in ability to function, and
only two improved their functional capacity. In
the study group for whom data were available, 24
remained the same, 7 were worse, and 13 improved.