Effects of noninvasive ventilation with bilevel positive airway pressure on exercise tolerance and dyspnea in heart failure patients.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) is a syndrome that results in inadequate blood supply, leading to a number of structural and functional changes. Noninvasive ventilatory support (NIVS) is used as an adjuvant treatment to improve the functional capacity of these patients. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of NIVS with bilevel positive airway pressure ventilation (BiPAP) on exercise tolerance and dyspnea in HF patients. METHODS: Forty patients with New York Heart Association class I/II/III HF were randomly assigned either to a NIVS group (n = 20) or control group (n = 20). All patients underwent two 6-min walk tests (6MWT), with a 30-min interval between them. In the NIVS group, the patients performed the BiPAP with an inspiratory positive airway pressure of 12 cmH2O and expiratory positive airway pressure of 6 cmH2O for 30 min. At baseline, and after the first and second 6MWT, the heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, peripheral oxygen saturation (SaO2), and dyspnea were evaluated. RESULTS: Forty patients completed the study safely according to the randomization protocol, and no adverse events were reported during the tests. The NIVS group showed a significant improvement in the 6MWT distance (68.3 vs. 9.8 m) and dyspnea (1.3 vs. 3.1) compared with the control group. No serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: NIVS/BiPAP showed beneficial effects on exercise tolerance and dyspnea. It was safe and well tolerated by HF patients and should be considered for inclusion in cardiac rehabilitation programs.

Addition of non-invasive ventilatory support to combined aerobic and resistance training improves dyspnea and quality of life in heart failure patients: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that combined aerobic and resistance training and non-invasive ventilatory support result in additional benefits compared with combined aerobic and resistance training alone in heart failure patients. DESIGN: A randomized, single-blind, controlled study. SETTING: Cardiac rehabilitation center. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 46 patients with New York Heart Association class II/III heart failure were randomly assigned to a 10-week program of combined aerobic and resistance training, plus non-invasive ventilatory support ( n = 23) or combined aerobic and resistance training alone ( n = 23). METHODS: Before and after intervention, results for the following were obtained: 6-minute walk test, forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume at one second, maximal inspiratory muscle pressure, and maximal expiratory muscle pressure, with evaluation of dyspnea by the London Chest Activity of Daily Living scale, and quality of life with the Minnesota Living With Heart Failure questionnaire. RESULTS: Of the 46 included patients, 40 completed the protocol. The combined aerobic and resistance training plus non-invasive ventilatory support, as compared with combined aerobic and resistance training alone, resulted in significantly greater benefit for dyspnea (mean change: 4.8 vs. 1.3, p = 0.004), and quality of life (mean change: 19.3 vs. 6.8, p = 0.017 ). In both groups, the 6-minute walk test improved significantly (mean change: 45.7 vs. 44.1, p = 0.924), but without a statistically significant difference. CONCLUSION: Non-invasive ventilatory support combined with combined aerobic and resistance training provides additional benefits for dyspnea and quality of life in moderate heart failure patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02384798. Registered 03 April 2015.

Non-Invasive Ventilation in Patients with Heart Failure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis / Ventilação Não Invasiva em Pacientes com Insuficiência Cardíaca: Revisão Sistemática e Meta-Análise

Abstract Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) may perfect respiratory and cardiac performance in patients with heart failure (HF). The objective of the study to establish, through systematic review and meta-analysis, NIV influence on functional capacity of HF patients. A systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized studies was carried out through research of databases of Cochrane Library, SciELO, Pubmed and PEDro, using the key-words: heart failure, non-invasive ventilation, exercise tolerance; and the free terms: bi-level positive airway pressure (BIPAP), continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), and functional capacity (terms were searched for in English and Portuguese) using the Boolean operators AND and OR. Methodological quality was ensured through PEDro scale. Weighted averages and a 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. The meta-analysis was done thorugh the software Review Manager, version 5.3 (Cochrane Collaboration). Four randomized clinical trials were included. Individual studies suggest NIV improved functional capacity. NIV resulted in improvement in the distance of the six-minute walk test (6MWT) (68.7m 95%CI: 52.6 to 84.9) in comparison to the control group. We conclude that the NIV is an intervention that promotes important effects in the improvement of functional capacity of HF patients. However, there is a gap in literature on which are the most adequate parameters for the application of this technique.

Resumo A ventilação não invasiva (VNI) pode aperfeiçoar o desempenho cardíaco e respiratório dos pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca (IC). O objetivo do estudo é estabelecer, por meio de revisão sistemática e meta-análise, a influência da VNI na capacidade funcional (CF) de indivíduos com IC. Foi realizada uma revisão sistemática com meta-análise de estudos randomizados através da pesquisa nas bases de dados Biblioteca Cochrane, SciELO, Pubmed e PEDro, utilizando-se as palavras-chave: insuficiência cardíaca, ventilação não invasiva, tolerância ao exercício; e os termos livres: pressão positiva em dois níveis nas vias aéreas (BIPAP), pressão positiva contínua em vias aéreas (CPAP), CF e seus correlatos na língua inglesa, com a combinação dos operadores booleanos (AND e OR). A avaliação da qualidade metodológica se deu via escala de PEDro. Foram calculadas as médias ponderadas e o intervalo de confiança (IC) de 95%. Meta-análise foi realizada com software Review Manager versão 5.3 (Colaboração Cochrane). Foram incluídos quatro ensaios clínicos randomizados. Estudos individuais sugerem que a VNI contribuiu para melhora da CF. VNI resultou em melhora na distância do teste de caminhada de seis minutos (TC6) (68,7m 95% IC: 52,6 a 84,9) comparado ao grupo controle. Concluimos que a VNI é uma intervenção que promove efeitos importantes na melhora da CF de pacientes com IC. No entanto, há uma lacuna na literatura de quais são os parâmetros mais adequados para aplicação dessa técnica.

Non-Invasive Ventilation in Patients with Heart Failure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) may perfect respiratory and cardiac performance in patients with heart failure (HF). The objective of the study to establish, through systematic review and meta-analysis, NIV influence on functional capacity of HF patients. A systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized studies was carried out through research of databases of Cochrane Library, SciELO, Pubmed and PEDro, using the key-words: heart failure, non-invasive ventilation, exercise tolerance; and the free terms: bi-level positive airway pressure (BIPAP), continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), and functional capacity (terms were searched for in English and Portuguese) using the Boolean operators AND and OR. Methodological quality was ensured through PEDro scale. Weighted averages and a 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. The meta-analysis was done thorugh the software Review Manager, version 5.3 (Cochrane Collaboration). Four randomized clinical trials were included. Individual studies suggest NIV improved functional capacity. NIV resulted in improvement in the distance of the six-minute walk test (6MWT) (68.7m 95%CI: 52.6 to 84.9) in comparison to the control group. We conclude that the NIV is an intervention that promotes important effects in the improvement of functional capacity of HF patients. However, there is a gap in literature on which are the most adequate parameters for the application of this technique. Resumo A ventilação não invasiva (VNI) pode aperfeiçoar o desempenho cardíaco e respiratório dos pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca (IC). O objetivo do estudo é estabelecer, por meio de revisão sistemática e meta-análise, a influência da VNI na capacidade funcional (CF) de indivíduos com IC. Foi realizada uma revisão sistemática com meta-análise de estudos randomizados através da pesquisa nas bases de dados Biblioteca Cochrane, SciELO, Pubmed e PEDro, utilizando-se as palavras-chave: insuficiência cardíaca, ventilação não invasiva, tolerância ao exercício; e os termos livres: pressão positiva em dois níveis nas vias aéreas (BIPAP), pressão positiva contínua em vias aéreas (CPAP), CF e seus correlatos na língua inglesa, com a combinação dos operadores booleanos (AND e OR). A avaliação da qualidade metodológica se deu via escala de PEDro. Foram calculadas as médias ponderadas e o intervalo de confiança (IC) de 95%. Meta-análise foi realizada com software Review Manager versão 5.3 (Colaboração Cochrane). Foram incluídos quatro ensaios clínicos randomizados. Estudos individuais sugerem que a VNI contribuiu para melhora da CF. VNI resultou em melhora na distância do teste de caminhada de seis minutos (TC6) (68,7m 95% IC: 52,6 a 84,9) comparado ao grupo controle. Concluimos que a VNI é uma intervenção que promove efeitos importantes na melhora da CF de pacientes com IC. No entanto, há uma lacuna na literatura de quais são os parâmetros mais adequados para aplicação dessa técnica.

Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Physiologic and Functional Measurements in Patients With Heart Failure: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW WITH META-ANALYSIS.

BACKGROUND: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is potentially attractive as a method of training in heart failure (HF) and could be performed in patients unable to participate in standard exercise training. PURPOSE: To examine the effects of NMES on physiologic and functional measurements in patients with HF. METHODS: MEDLINE, Cochrane, EMBASE, Scielo, and PEDro were searched from the earliest date available to July 2014. Two independent reviewers screened the titles and abstracts and selected randomized controlled trials, examining the effects of NMES versus exercise and/or of NMES versus control on physiologic and functional measurements in patients with HF. Two independent reviewers screened the randomized controlled trials. The PEDro score was used to evaluate methodological quality. Weighted mean differences and 95% CI were calculated. RESULTS: Thirteen studies met the study criteria. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation resulted in improvement in peak oxygen uptake ((Equation is included in full-text article.)O2) (4.86 mL·kg ·min; 95% CI, 2.81-6.91), 6-minute walk test (6MWT) distance (63.54 m; 95% CI, 35.81-91.27), muscle strength (30.74 N; 95% CI, 3.67-57.81), flow-mediated dilatation (2.67%; 95% CI, 0.86-4.49), depressive symptoms (-3.86; 95% CI, -6.46 to -1.25), and global quality of life (0.89; 95% CI, 0.55-1.24). Nonsignificant differences in ((Equation is included in full-text article.)O2) peak, 6MWT, and quality of life were found for participants in the exercise group compared with NMES. CONCLUSIONS: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation improved peak (Equation is included in full-text article.)O2, 6MWT distance, quality of life, muscle strength, endothelial function, and depressive symptoms in patients with HF and could be considered for inclusion in cardiac rehabilitation for selected patients.

Effects of neuromuscular electrostimulation in patients with heart failure admitted to ward.

BACKGROUND: Neuromuscular electrostimulation has become a promising issue in cardiovascular rehabilitation. However there are few articles published in the literature regarding neuromuscular electrostimulation in patients with heart failure during hospital stay. METHODS: This is a randomized controlled pilot trial that aimed to investigate the effect of neuromuscular electrostimulation in the walked distance by the six-minute walking test in 30 patients admitted to ward for heart failure treatment in a tertiary cardiology hospital. Patients in the intervention group performed a conventional rehabilitation and neuromuscular electrostimulation. Patients underwent 60 minutes of electrostimulation (wave frequency was 20 Hz, pulse duration of 20 us) two times a day for consecutive days until hospital discharge. RESULTS: The walked distance in the six-minute walking test improved 75% in the electrostimulation group (from 379.7 ± 43.5 to 372.9 ± 46.9 meters to controls and from 372.9 ± 62.4 to 500 ± 68 meters to electrostimulation, p<0.001). On the other hand, the walked distance in the control group did not change. CONCLUSION: The neuromuscular electrostimulation group showed greater improvement in the walked distance in the six-minute walking test in patients admitted to ward for compensation of heart failure.

Effect of ventilatory support on functional capacity in patients with heart failure: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) is an important public health problem, of which main clinical symptoms are dyspnea and fatigue. Noninvasive ventilatory support has been used as adjuvant therapy in cardiac rehabilitation in order to improve the functional capacity of patients. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the functional capacity of patients with HF submitted to ventilatory support. METHODS: We evaluated the sociodemographic information, as well as data on quality of life, blood pressure (BP), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), dyspnea, lactate concentration before and after the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and the distance walked by patients of both sexes with chronic heart failure (CHF), with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 45.0% , randomized in two groups: control and CPAP (the group used CPAP - 10 cmH2O for 30 minutes). RESULTS: A total of 12 patients, of which 8 were males, with CHF functional class II and III (NYHA) participated in the study. The patients had mean LVEF of 35.3 ± 8.7 and mean age was 46.3 ± 10.3 years. When comparing the control group with the CPAP group at the end of the 6th minute, there was a significant difference between the groups regarding SpO2 values ( CONTROL: 93.6 ± 1.5 % vs CPAP: 96.1±1.8%; p = 0.027), index of dyspnea ( CONTROL: 13.1 ± 1.16 vs CPAP: 11 ± 0.8; p = 0.009), lactate concentration ( CONTROL: 3.3 ± 0.7 mmol/l vs CPAP: 2.3 ± 0.5 mmol/l; p = 0.025) and distance walked at the 6MWT (CONTROL: 420.6 ± 73.8 m vs CPAP: 534 ± 89.91 m; p = 0.038). CONCLUSION: The previous use of the CPAP had beneficial effects on SpO2, index of dyspnea, lactate concentration, double product and the distance walked at the 6MWT in patients with CHF when performing the 6MWT.

Suporte ventilatório na capacidade funcional de pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca: estudo piloto / Effect of ventilatory support on functional capacity in patients with heart failure: a pilot study / Soporte ventilatorio en la capacidad funcional de pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca: estudio piloto

FUNDAMENTO: A insuficiência cardíaca é um importante problema de saúde pública, apresentando a dispneia e a fadiga como principais sintomas clínicos. A utilização do suporte ventilatório não invasivo vem atuando como coadjuvante da reabilitação cardíaca na tentativa de melhorar a capacidade funcional dos pacientes. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a capacidade funcional de pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca submetidos ao suporte ventilatório. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados dados sociodemográficos, qualidade de vida, FC, pressão arterial (PA), saturação periférica de oxigênio (SpO2), dispneia, concentração de lactato, antes e depois do teste de caminhada de 6 minutos, e a distância percorrida de pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca crônica (ICC), de ambos os sexos, com fração FEVE < 45,0 por cento, randomizados em dois grupos: controle e CPAP (utilizou CPAP 10 cmH2O por 30 minutos). RESULTADOS: Participaram 12 pacientes com ICC classe funcional II e III (NYHA), com média de fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo (FEVE, por cento) de 35,3 ± 8,7, sendo que 8 eram do sexo masculino. A média de idade foi de 46,3 ± 10,3 anos. Na comparação entre os grupos Controle e CPAP, no final do 6º min, foi encontrada diferença significativa nos valores de SpO2 por cento entre os grupos (Controle: 93,6 ± 1,5 por cento vs CPAP: 96,1 ± 1,8 por cento; p = 0,027), dispneia (Controle: 13,1 ± 1,16 vs CPAP: 11 ± 0,8; p = 0,009), concentração de lactato (Controle: 3,3 ± 0,7 mmol/l vs CPAP: 2,3 ± 0,5 mmol/l; p = 0,025), e distância percorrida no TC6 (Controle: 420,6 ± 73,8 m vs CPAP: 534 ± 89,91 m; p = 0,038). CONCLUSÃO: A realização prévia do CPAP apresentou efeitos benéficos na SpO2, na dispneia, na concentração de lactato, no duplo produto e na distância percorrida no TC6 de pacientes com ICC na realização do TC6.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) is an important public health problem, of which main clinical symptoms are dyspnea and fatigue. Noninvasive ventilatory support has been used as adjuvant therapy in cardiac rehabilitation in order to improve the functional capacity of patients. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the functional capacity of patients with HF submitted to ventilatory support. METHODS: We evaluated the sociodemographic information, as well as data on quality of life, blood pressure (BP), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), dyspnea, lactate concentration before and after the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and the distance walked by patients of both sexes with chronic heart failure (CHF), with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 45.0 percent , randomized in two groups: control and CPAP (the group used CPAP - 10 cmH2O for 30 minutes). RESULTS: A total of 12 patients, of which 8 were males, with CHF functional class II and III (NYHA) participated in the study. The patients had mean LVEF of 35.3 ± 8.7 and mean age was 46.3 ± 10.3 years. When comparing the control group with the CPAP group at the end of the 6th minute, there was a significant difference between the groups regarding SpO2 values (Control: 93.6 ± 1.5 percent vs CPAP: 96.1±1.8 percent; p = 0.027), index of dyspnea (Control: 13.1 ± 1.16 vs CPAP: 11 ± 0.8; p = 0.009), lactate concentration (Control: 3.3 ± 0.7 mmol/l vs CPAP: 2.3 ± 0.5 mmol/l; p = 0.025) and distance walked at the 6MWT (Control: 420.6 ± 73.8 m vs CPAP: 534 ± 89.91 m; p = 0.038). CONCLUSION: The previous use of the CPAP had beneficial effects on SpO2, index of dyspnea, lactate concentration, double product and the distance walked at the 6MWT in patients with CHF when performing the 6MWT.

FUNDAMENTO: La insuficiencia cardiaca es un importante problema de salud pública, presentando la disnea y la fatiga como principales síntomas clínicos. La utilización del soporte ventilatorio no invasivo viene actuando como coadyuvante de la rehabilitación cardíaca en la tentativa de mejorar la capacidad funcional de los pacientes. OBJETIVO: Evaluar la capacidad funcional de pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca sometidos al soporte ventilatorio. MÉTODOS: Se evaluaron datos sociodemográficos, calidad de vida, FC, presión arterial (PA), saturación periférica de oxígeno (SpO2) disnea, concentración de lactato, antes y después de la prueba de marcha de 6 minutos, y la distancia recorrida de pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca crónica (ICC), de ambos sexos, con fracción FEVI < 45,0 por ciento, randomizados en dos grupos: Control y CPAP (utilizó CPAP 10 cmH2O por 30 minutos). RESULTADOS: Participaron 12 pacientes con ICC clase funcional II y III (NYHA), con media de fracción de eyección del ventrículo izquierdo (FEVI, por ciento) de 35,3 ± 8,7, siendo que 8 eran del sexo masculino. El promedio de edad fue de 46,3 ± 10,3 años. En la comparación entre los grupos control y CPAP, al final del 6º min, se encontró diferencia significativa en los valores de SpO2 por ciento entre los grupos (Control: 93,6 ± 1,5 por ciento vs CPAP: 96,1 ± 1,8 por ciento; p = 0,027), disnea (Control: 13,1 ± 1,16 vs CPAP: 11 ± 0,8; p = 0,009), concentración de lactato (Control: 3,3 ± 0,7 mmol/L vs CPAP: 2,3 ± 0,5 mmol/L; p = 0,025), y distancia recorrida en la PM6m (Control: 420,6 ± 73,8 m vs CPAP: 534 ± 89,91 m; p = 0,038). CONCLUSIÓN: La realización previa del CPAP presentó efectos benéficos en la SpO2, en la disnea, en la concentración de lactato, en el doble producto y en la distancia recorrida en el PM6m de pacientes con ICC en la realización del PM6m.