Key result
Intensive medical therapy linked to ~15-point higher FVC in severe heart failure.
Why the study?
The effects of intensive medical therapy on pulmonary function in patients with severe congestive heart failure were not well characterized.
Observational (n=13)
In a group of 13 patients with severe heart failure, both forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) significantly improved after intensive medical therapy (FVC: from 77 +/- 17 to 92 +/- 20%, p < 0.001; FEV1: from 65 +/- 15 to 81 +/- 15%, p < 0.001) in the absence of change in M-mode echo cardiac dimension and left ventricular systolic function; on the other hand, a change of indices of left ventricular filling by Doppler transmitral flow was documented (E/A ratio: from 3.6 +/- 1.2 to 1.65 +/- 1.5, p < 0.01; early filling deceleration time: from 94 +/- 39 to 178 +/- 78 ms, p < 0.01), indicating a reduction of pulmonary capillary pressure; this probably positively affected pulmonary interstitial edema and bronchial wall congestion, thus enhancing pulmonary function.
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Faggiano et al. (2008) conducted an observational in Severe congestive heart failure (n=13). Intensive medical therapy vs. Baseline (pre-therapy) was evaluated on Forced vital capacity (FVC) (p=<0.001). Intensive medical therapy significantly improved forced vital capacity (from 77% to 92%, P<0.001) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (from 65% to 81%, P<0.001) in patients with severe heart failure.
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