Published online Sep 26, 2021. doi: 10.4330/wjc.v13.i9.514
Peer-review started: April 3, 2021
First decision: May 13, 2021
Revised: May 26, 2021
Accepted: July 23, 2021
Article in press: July 23, 2021
Published online: September 26, 2021
Processing time: 167 Days and 8.2 Hours
Diastolic dysfunction (DD) of the left ventricular (LV) is a keystone in the patho
Exercise training induces several beneficial effects on CHF patients. However, the effects of exercise training on diastolic DD have not been adequately studied. This is also the case for the effects of different exercise regimes on DD.
The main aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of a cardiac exercise rehabilitation program, on the DD and the ejection fraction (EF) of the LV in patients with CHF. A secondary aim was the comparison of an aerobic and combined regimes to explore any potential difference on these indices.
In this randomized clinical trial study, 32 patients with CHF were screened for inclusion/exclusion criteria and consented to attend a rehabilitation program and undergo related evaluations. They randomly assigned to aerobic exercise (AER) or combined aerobic and strength training, by a researcher not involved in the rest of the tasks. Before and after the program, they underwent a symptom-limited maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and serial echocardiography assessment. The researchers performed these evaluations were blinded to participants’ allocation.
Exercise training overall beneficially affected DD grade, right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), EF of the LV and AER capacity. No differences between the aerobic and combined group were observed.
In this study, the effects of an exercise training rehabilitation program (AER with/without strength training) were evaluated on the indices of diastolic and systolic cardiac function, in stable CHF patients. Exercise training overall induced benefits on the DD as assessed with grades, the EF of the LV, the RVSP and the AER capacity. The exercise protocol was not observed to affect outcomes.
Future research is warranted to further explore the effects of different exercise training regimes on diastolic dysfunction.