BACKGROUND: The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of high-intensity interval exercise (ie, 30s at 100% of max workload, followed by 30s at rest, 45 min 3 days/week working-out schedule for 12 weeks) on left ventricular function and aortic elastic properties among chronic heart failure (CHF) patients. METHODS: This study is a phase III clinical trial. Of the 100 consecutive CHF patients (NYHA classes II to IV, ejection fraction< 50%) that were randomly allocated, 72 completed the study (exercise training group, n = 33, 63 +/- 9 years, 88% men, and control group, n = 39, 56 +/- 11 years, 82% men). All patients underwent cardiopulmonary stress test, non-invasive high-fidelity tonometry of the radial artery, pulse wave velocity measurement using a SphygmoCor device and echocardiography before and after the completion of the training program. RESULTS: Both groups reported similar medical characteristics and physical activity status. General mixed effects models revealed that the intervention group reduced pulse wave velocity by 9% (p = 0.05); Emv/Vp by 14% (p = 0.06); E to A ratio by 24% (p = 0.004), E to Emv ratio by 8% (p = 0.05), MLHFQ score by 66% (p = 0.003) and the depression score by 19% (p = 0.5); increased augmentation index by 29%; VTI by 4% (p = 0.05), 6-minute-walk distance up to 13% (p = 0.05), peak oxygen uptake by 28% (p = 0.001) and peak power by 25% (p = 0.005). There were no significant changes in the control group. CONCLUSION: Interval high-intensity aerobic training, combined with strength exercise, seems to benefit aortic dilatation capacity and augmented systolic pressure in parallel with improvement in left ventricular diastolic function and quality of life.

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