Browsing by Author "Bobenko, Anna"

Aims Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) remains a common condition with no pharmacological treatment. Physical activity (PA) improves symptoms and quality of life (QoL), but no clear recommendations exist on PA in HFpEF patients. We investigated the association of PA (amount/intensity) on clinical phenotype in HFpEF. Methods and results The Aldosterone in Diastolic Heart Failure trial investigated spironolactone vs. placebo in stable HFpEF patients. At baseline, all patients underwent detailed phenotypization including echocardiography, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, 6 minute walking test (6MWT), and QoL assessment (36‐item Short‐Form questionnaire). PA was assessed by a self‐report questionnaire, classified in metabolic equivalents of task (MET) and analysed with regard to exercise capacity, diastolic function, and QoL. Four hundred twenty‐two patients (52% women, age 67 ± 8 years, New York Heart Association II and III) were classified by weekly MET hours into a low (<70), middle (70–140), or high (>140) level of PA. Total PA correlated positively with 6MWT distance (r = 0.17; P = 0.002) and physical function of QoL (r = 0.10; P = 0.05), but not with peak oxygen uptake (peakVO2). In contrast, both 6MWT distance and peakVO2 were significantly higher in patients who performed high‐intensity PA for >8 h/week (P < 0.001, P = 0.02, respectively). Time of high‐intensity PA was related to higher 6MWT distance (r = 0.21, P < 0.001), peakVO2, and better physical function of QoL (both r = 0.13, P = 0.01), whereas low‐intensity PA did not show significant associations. Interestingly, PA was not related to any measure of diastolic function. Conclusions A higher amount of PA is related to higher submaximal exercise capacity and physical function of QoL. Regarding maximal exercise capacity, only high‐intensity PA showed significant association in HFpEF patients.

Left ventricular filling pressure (LVFP) is a marker for diastolic dysfunction and heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (pEF). The interaction between arterial stiffness (AS) and elevated LVFP has not been sufficiently investigated. In 257 patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (mean age: 66 years, 53% female, mean left ventricular ejection fraction: 61%) and at least one cardiovascular risk factor (eg, hypertension and diabetes) for the development of HF or a previous diagnosis of HF, LVFP was estimated in accordance with the recommendations of the American Society of Echocardiography (elevated when E/e' ≥ 13, left atrial volume index ≥ 34 mL/m2). LVFP was correlated with radial pulse wave analysis (augmentation index normalized by 75 b/min [AIx@75]) and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV). Thirty-eight percent of patients demonstrated an elevated LVFP. These patients were significantly older (68.3 ± 7.4 vs. 63.5 ± 7.6 years, P < .001), demonstrated a higher body mass index (29.8 ± 4.6 vs. 28.0 ± 5.0; P < .01), presented more often with hypertension (89.7% vs. 73.1%, P < .01), hypercholesterolemia (32.0% vs. 21.3%, P < .05), dyspnea on exertion (28.4% vs. 16.6%, P < .05), and peripheral edema (25.3% vs. 10.2%, P < .01). cfPWV and AIx@75 and were significantly elevated in patients with elevated LVFP (12.2 ± 2.7 m/s vs. 10.5 ± 2.6 m/s, P < .001, an 29.2 ± 6.7% vs. 27.4 ± 6.7%, P < .05 respectively). cfPWV and AIx@75 were correlated with echocardiographic parameters, that is, posterior wall thickness (r = 0.292, P < .001; r = 0.167, P < .01), left ventricular mass index (r = 0.255, P < .001; r = −0.192, P < .01), e' (r = −0.508, P < .001; r = −0.159, P < .05), and E/e' (r = 0.380, P < .001; r = 0.200, P < .01). cfPWV correlated with left atrial volume index (r = 0.189, P < .05) and increasing E/A ratio (r = −0.334, P < .001). Multivariate linear regression analysis demonstrated age and PWV as most important and independent predictors of LVFP elevation in the cohort. Increased AS measured by cfPWV was associated with an elevated LVFP in patients with preserved systolic function. Whether targeting AS as a major component of diastolic dysfunction and HF with preserved ejection fraction needs to be further investigated.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a common disease with high incidence and increasing prevalence. Patients suffer from functional limitation, poor health‐related quality of life, and reduced prognosis. A pilot study in a smaller group of HFpEF patients showed that structured, supervised exercise training (ET) improves maximal exercise capacity, diastolic function, and physical quality of life. However, the long‐term effects of ET on patient‐related outcomes remain unclear in HFpEF. The primary objective of the Exercise training in Diastolic Heart Failure (Ex‐DHF) trial is to investigate whether a 12 month supervised ET can improve a clinically meaningful composite outcome score in HFpEF patients. Components of the outcome score are all‐cause mortality, hospitalizations, NYHA functional class, global self‐rated health, maximal exercise capacity, and diastolic function. After undergoing baseline assessments to determine whether ET can be performed safely, 320 patients at 11 trial sites with stable HFpEF are randomized 1:1 to supervised ET in addition to usual care or to usual care alone. Patients randomized to ET perform supervised endurance/resistance ET (3 times/week at a certified training centre) for 12 months. At baseline and during follow‐up, anthropometry, echocardiography, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, and health‐related quality of life evaluation are performed. Blood samples are collected to examine various biomarkers. Overall physical activity, training sessions, and adherence are monitored and documented throughout the study using patient diaries, heart rate monitors, and accelerometers. The Ex‐DHF trial is the first multicentre trial to assess the long‐term effects of a supervised ET programme on different outcome measures in patients with HFpEF.