Exercise training increased exercise tolerance and left ventricular ejection fraction across all degrees of baseline left ventricular dysfunction compared to usual care alone.
RCT (n=98)
2:1
Does exercise training improve exercise tolerance and left ventricular function in heart failure patients across different LVEF categories?
Exercise training improves exercise tolerance, LVEF, and diastolic function in heart failure patients regardless of baseline left ventricular dysfunction.
PURPOSE: The study's purpose was to analyze the effects of exercise training on exercise tolerance and left ventricular systolic function and structure in heart failure patients with preserved, mild, and moderate to severe reduction of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). METHODS: Ninety-eight patients with moderate to severe (n = 34), mild (n = 33), and preserved (n = 31) LVEF were randomly assigned to exercise training plus usual care (n = 65) or usual care alone (n = 33) in a randomization ratio of 2:1. Left ventricular function, left ventricular dimensions, and exercise tolerance were assessed before and after each intervention. RESULTS: Exercise tolerance and LVEF increased with exercise training in all patient groups, whereas they remained unchanged after usual care alone. Exercise training increased the mean ratio of early to late mitral inflow velocities (E/A ratio) and decreased deceleration time (DT) of early filling in patients with mild and preserved LVEF. In patients with moderate to severe systolic dysfunction and advanced diastolic dysfunction (DT 160 ms), exercise training also improved mitral inflow patterns. Exercise training decreased left ventricular dimensions in patients with mild and moderate to severe reduction of LVEF but not in patients with preserved LVEF. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that exercise training can improve the course of heart failure independent of the degree of baseline left ventricular dysfunction.
Alves et al. (Sat,) conducted a rct in Heart failure (n=98). Exercise training plus usual care vs. Usual care alone was evaluated on Exercise tolerance and left ventricular systolic function and structure. Exercise training increased exercise tolerance and left ventricular ejection fraction across all degrees of baseline left ventricular dysfunction compared to usual care alone.