Exercise training in patients with pulmonary hypertension demonstrates substantial improvements in functional capacity and potential beneficial effects on inflammation and pulmonary hemodynamics.
Does exercise training improve pulmonary hemodynamics, functional capacity, and inflammation in patients with pulmonary hypertension?
This review highlights the growing evidence that exercise training improves functional capacity and may positively affect inflammation and metabolism in patients with pulmonary hypertension.
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is characterized by severe exercise limitation mainly attributed to the impairment of right ventricular function resulting from a concomitant elevation of pulmonary vascular resistance and pressure. The unquestioned cornerstone in the management of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is specific vasoactive medical therapy to improve pulmonary hemodynamics and strengthen right ventricular function. Nevertheless, evidence for a beneficial effect of exercise training (ET) on pulmonary hemodynamics and functional capacity in patients with PH has been growing during the past decade. Beneficial effects of ET on regulating factors, inflammation, and metabolism have also been described. Small case-control studies and randomized clinical trials in larger populations of patients with PH demonstrated substantial improvements in functional capacity after ET. These findings were accompanied by several studies that suggested an effect of ET on inflammation, although a direct link between this effect and the therapeutic benefit of ET in PH has not yet been demonstrated. On this background, the aim of the present review is to describe current concepts regarding the effects of exercise on the pulmonary circulation and pathophysiological limitations, as well as the clinical and mechanistic effects of exercise in patients with PH.
Richter et al. (Fri,) conducted a review in Pulmonary hypertension. Exercise training was evaluated. Exercise training in patients with pulmonary hypertension demonstrates substantial improvements in functional capacity and potential beneficial effects on inflammation and pulmonary hemodynamics.