January 17, 2019Open Access

Effect of Exercise Training in Heart Failure Patients Without Echocardiographic Response to Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy

HYHidetoshi YanagiNational Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center MNMichio NakanishiHeart Failure & Transplant HKHarumi KonishiNational Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center

Structured PICO

Does a 3-month exercise training program improve exercise capacity in heart failure patients without echocardiographic response to cardiac resynchronization therapy?

Population

34 heart failure patients (mean age 59.2, 82% male) who underwent CRT implantation and participated in a 3-month exercise training program 6 months post-implantation. Excluded: history of MI in previous 3 months, significant pulmonary, cerebrovascular, or orthopedic disease. Divided into CRT responders (n=17) and non-responders (n=17).

Intervention

3-month exercise training (ET) program starting 6 months after CRT implantation, consisting of supervised in-hospital sessions (walking, bicycle ergometer, low-intensity resistance training) for 20-40 min 3-5 times/week, followed by home ET combined with 1-2 supervised sessions/week.

Comparator

CRT responders (n=17) who underwent the same 3-month exercise training program (no non-exercise control group was included).

Outcome

Change in peak oxygen uptake (Peak VO2) and isometric knee extensor muscle strength (IKEMS) during the 3-month exercise training program.surrogate

A 3-month exercise training program safely improves exercise capacity and peripheral muscle strength in heart failure patients, even in those who do not show an echocardiographic response to cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Abstract

In HF patients undergoing CRT implantation, ET safely improved exercise capacity regardless of response to CRT, suggesting that even advanced HF patients without response to CRT can possibly benefit from ET.

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