Is peak C(a-v)o2 a major determinant of exercise capacity in patients with HFpEF compared to HFrEF and normal controls?
Impaired peripheral oxygen extraction is a major determinant of exercise intolerance in HFpEF, suggesting skeletal muscle or peripheral microvascular function as potential therapeutic targets.
In the first study to directly measure C(a-v)o2 throughout exercise in HFpEF, HFrEF, and normals, we found that peak C(a-v)o2 was a major determinant of exercise capacity in HFpEF. The important functional limitation imposed by impaired o2 extraction may reflect intrinsic abnormalities in skeletal muscle or peripheral microvascular function, and represents a potential target for therapeutic intervention.
Dhakal et al. (2014) studied this question.