Relationship between exercise intervention and NO pathway in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

OBJECTIVE: Elevated levels of arginine derivatives in the NO pathway, such as asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), are related to disease severity and reduced exercise capacity in heart failure (HF). We investigated the influence of exercise intervention on these parameters and on L-arginine (L-Arg) and L-homoarginine (L-hArg) in HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty-two patients (65 ± 6 years) were included in this analysis and randomized to supervised endurance/resistance training (ET) or to usual care (UC). EDTA-plasma was analysed for NO metabolites. RESULTS: There were baseline associations for adjusted values of maximum workload with ADMA (r= -0.322, p = 0.028) and L-Arg/ADMA ratio (r = 0.331, p = 0.015), and for the 6-min walk test (6MWT) with ADMA (r= -0.314, p = 0.024) and L-Arg/ADMA ratio (r = 0.346, p = 0.015). No significant differences between UC and ET changes of NO parameters were observed at 3-month follow-up. Higher L-hArg levels were associated with a greater improvement in peak oxygen uptake (peak [Formula: see text]O2) at follow-up: 3.4 ± 2.8 vs. 1.1 ± 2.9 mL/min/kg (p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Exercise intervention did not influence NO parameters in HFpEF patients, but L-hArg was related to change in peak [Formula: see text]O2.

Running multiple marathons is not a risk factor for premature subclinical vascular impairment.

Background In contrast to the well-accepted benefits of moderate exercise, recent research has suggested potential deleterious effects of repeated marathon running on the cardiovascular system. We thus performed a comprehensive analysis of markers of subclinical vascular damage in a cohort of runners having finished multiple marathon races successfully. Design This was a prospective, observational study. Methods A total of 97 healthy male Munich marathon participants (mean age 44 ± 10 years) underwent detailed training history, cardiopulmonary exercise testing for assessment of peak oxygen uptake, ultrasound for assessment of intima-media-thickness as well as non-invasive assessments of ankle-brachial index, augmentation index, pulse wave velocity and reactive hyperaemia index. Results Runners had previously completed a median of eight (range 1-500) half marathons, six (1-100) full marathons and three (1-40) ultramarathons; mean weekly and annual training volumes were 59 ± 23 and 1639 ± 979 km. Mean peak oxygen uptake was 50 ± 8 ml/min/kg, and the Munich marathon was finished in 3:45 ± 0:32 h. Runners showed normal mean values for intima-media-thickness (0.60 ± 0.14 mm), ankle-brachial index (1.2 ± 0.1), augmentation index (17 ± 13%), pulse wave velocity (8.7 ± 1.4 cm/s) and reactive hyperaemia index (1.96 ± 0.50). Age was significantly and independently associated with intima-media-thickness ( r = 0.531; p < 0.001), augmentation index ( r = 0.593; p < 0.001) and pulse wave velocity ( r = 0.357; p < 0.001). However, no independent associations of peak oxygen uptake, marathon finishing time, number of completed races or weekly and annual training km with any of the vascular parameters were observed. Conclusions In this cohort of healthy male runners, running multiple marathon races did not pose an additional risk factor for premature subclinical vascular impairment beyond age.

Optimising exercise training in prevention and treatment of diastolic heart failure (OptimEx-CLIN): rationale and design of a prospective, randomised, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (HFpEF) currently affects more than seven million Europeans and is the only cardiovascular disease increasing in prevalence and incidence. No pharmacological agent has yet been shown to improve symptoms or prognosis. The most promising way to improve pathophysiology and deprived exercise-tolerance in HFpEF patients seems to be exercise training, but the optimal approach and dose of exercise is still unknown. OBJECTIVES: The major objective of the optimising exercise training in prevention and treatment of diastolic heart failure study (OptimEx-CLIN) is to define the optimal dose of exercise training in patients with HFpEF. In order to optimise adherence, supervision and economic aspects of exercise training a novel telemedical approach will be introduced and investigated. STUDY DESIGN: In a prospective randomised multi-centre study, 180 patients with stable symptomatic HFpEF will be randomised (1:1:1) to moderate intensity continuous training, high intensity interval training, or a control group. The training intervention includes three months supervised followed by nine months of telemedically monitored home-based training. The primary endpoint is change in exercise capacity, defined as change in peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) after three months, assessed by cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Secondary endpoints include diastolic filling pressure (E/e') and further echocardiographic and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) parameters, biomarkers, quality of life and endothelial function. Training sessions and physical activity will be monitored and documented throughout the study with accelerometers and heart rate monitors developed on a telemedical platform for the OptimEx-CLIN study. Inclusion of patients started in July 2014, first results are expected in 2017.