OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mechanisms for improved exercise capacity after endurance exercise training (ET) in elderly patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF). BACKGROUND: Exercise intolerance, measured objectively by reduced peak oxygen consumption (VO2), is the primary chronic symptom in HFPEF and is improved by ET. However, the mechanisms are unknown. METHODS: Forty stable, compensated HFPEF outpatients (mean age 69 +/- 6 years) were examined at baseline and after 4 months of ET (n = 22) or attention control (n = 18). The VO2 and its determinants were assessed during rest and peak upright cycle exercise. RESULTS: After ET, peak VO2 in those patients was higher than in control patients (16.3 +/- 2.6 ml/kg/min versus 13.1 +/- 3.4 ml/kg/min; p = 0.002). That was associated with higher peak heart rate (139 +/- 16 beats/min versus 131 +/- 20 beats/min; p = 0.03), but no difference in peak end-diastolic volume (77 +/- 18 ml versus 77 +/- 17 ml; p = 0.51), stroke volume (48 +/- 9 ml versus 46 +/- 9 ml; p = 0.83), or cardiac output (6.6 +/- 1.3 l/min versus 5.9 +/- 1.5 l/min; p = 0.32). However, estimated peak arterial-venous oxygen difference was significantly higher in ET patients (19.8 +/- 4.0 ml/dl versus 17.3 +/- 3.7 ml/dl; p = 0.03). The effect of ET on cardiac output was responsible for only 16% of the improvement in peak VO2. CONCLUSIONS: In elderly stable compensated HFPEF patients, peak arterial-venous oxygen difference was higher after ET and was the primary contributor to improved peak VO2. This finding suggests that peripheral mechanisms (improved microvascular and/or skeletal muscle function) contribute to the improved exercise capacity after ET in HFPEF. (Prospective Aerobic Reconditioning Intervention Study (PARIS); NCT01113840).
With permission from Excerpta Medica Inc.

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