Article

Aims - To evaluate safety and efficacy of moderate intensity interval exercise
training early after heart failure decompensation on exercise tolerance and
health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Methods and results This is a prospective
randomized controlled study.
We screened 234 consecutive patients admitted with
decompensated heart failure; 46 patients (42 men/4 women; 61 +/- 12 years of age)
were randomized to a moderate intensity aerobic interval training ( n = 24) or to
a control group ( n = 22). Patients underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing,
echocardiography and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure questionnaire (MLHFQ) at
baseline, after three weeks and after three months. After three weeks, peak-VO2
increased by 17% in the training group ( p = 0.003) with further increase by 10%
after three months ( p < 0.001) but did not change significantly in controls.
MLHFQ score improved after three weeks, with better results in the training group
(from 64.6 +/- 15.6 to 30.8 +/- 12.9, p < 0.001). After three months, MLHFQ
further improved in the exercise training group, but not in controls. Left
ventricular ejection fraction was not significantly different between the two
groups at baseline and after three months. No serious adverse events related to
exercise testing or training were observed. Conclusions Interval exercise
training early after an episode of heart failure decompensation is safe and
effective in improving exercise tolerance and health-related quality of life in
selected patients after achievement of clinical stability. Positive effects
remained sustained after three months. Further studies are needed to define role
and indications for interval exercise training early after heart failure
decompensation.

Langue : ANGLAIS