Effects of ß-blocker therapy on exercise oscillatory ventilation in reduced ejection fraction heart failure patients: A case series study.

BACKGROUND: Exercise oscillatory ventilation (EOV) is an abnormal breathing pattern that occurs in ~20% of patients with heart failure (HF) and is associated with poor prognosis and exercise intolerance. ß-blockers (ßb) are prescribed for most HF patients; however, their effect on EOV remains unclear. We evaluated the effect of ßb on EOV in HF patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). METHODS: Fifteen patients diagnosed with HF, ejection fraction < 45%, aged from 18 to 65 years, were included before starting ßb therapy. Patients underwent clinical evaluation, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, echocardiography, laboratory exams (norepinephrine levels, B type natriuretic peptide) at baseline and after ßb therapy optimized for six months. Presence of exercise oscillatory breathing was determined by two experienced observers who were blinded to the moment of the test (pre or post). RESULTS: Fifteen patients (1 female), aged 49.5 ± 2.5 years, with HFrEF, NYHA I-III enrolled in the study. The etiologies of the HFrEF were idiopathic (n = 8) and hypertensive (n = 7). LVEF increased after ßb therapy from 25.9 ± 2.5% to 33 ± 2.6%, P = 0.02; peak VO2 did not significantly change (21.8 ± 1.7 vs 24.7 ± 1.9, P = 0.4); VE/VCO2 slope changed from 32.1 ± 10.6-27.5 ± 9.1, P = 0.03. Before ßb initiation, nine patients (60%) had EOV, but only two (13%) did after optimized therapy. McNemar test was used to evaluate the significance of the association between the two moments (P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: In patients with HF, medical therapy with ßb can reverse EOV. This may explain why these patients experience symptom improvement after ßb therapy.

Exercise training in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and permanent atrial fibrillation: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) associated with atrial fibrillation increases patients' physical inactivity, worsening their clinical condition and mortality. Exercise training is safe and has clear benefits in HF. However, little is known about the effects of exercise training on patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction and permanent atrial fibrillation (HFAF). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that exercise training improves functional capacity, cardiac function, and quality of life in patients with HFAF. METHODS: This randomized clinical trial was conducted at the Heart Institute. Patients with HFAF, left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40%, and resting heart rate (HR) ≤80 beats/min were included in the study. Cardiopulmonary testing, echocardiography, nervous system, and quality of life assessment were performed before and after the 12-week protocol period. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients (mean age 58 ± 1 years) were randomized to exercise training (HFAF-trained group; n = 13) or no training (HFAF-untrained group; n = 13). At baseline, no differences between the groups were found. Exercise improved peak oxygen consumption, slope of ventilation per minute/carbon dioxide production, and quality of life. The HFAF-trained group had significantly decreased resting HR (from 73 ± 2 to 69 ± 2 beats/min; P = .02) and recovery HR (from 148 ± 11 to 128 ± 9 beats/min; P = .001). Concomitantly, left ventricular ejection fraction increased (from 31% ± 1% to 36% ± 0.9%; P = .01), left atrial dimension decreased (from 52 ± 1.2 to 47 ± 1 mm; P = .03), and left ventricular end-systolic volume and left ventricular end-diastolic volume deceased (from 69 ± 2 to 64 ± 1.8 mL/m2 and from 99 ± 2.1 to 91 ± 2 mL/m2, respectively; P < .05). No changes were observed in the HFAF-untrained group. CONCLUSION: Exercise training can improve exercise capacity, quality of life, and cardiac function in patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction and permanent atrial fibrillation.

Residual Impact of Concurrent, Resistance, and High-Intensity Interval Training on Fasting Measures of Glucose Metabolism in Women With Insulin Resistance.

We sought to assess the residual effects (post 72-h training cessation) on fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and fasting insulin (FI) after 12-weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT), resistance training (RT), or concurrent training (CT) in women with insulin resistance (IR). We also aimed to determine the training-induced, post-training residual impact of CT. A total of adult 45 women (age 38.5±9.2years) were included in the final analysis and were assigned to a control (CG; n=13, BMI 28.3±3.6kg/m2), HIIT [n=14, BMI 28.6±3.6kg/m2, three sessions/wk., 80-100% of the maximum heart rate (HRmax)], RT [n=8, BMI 29.4±5.5kg/m2, two sessions/wk., 8-10 points of the modified Borg, corresponding to 20 to 50% range of one maximum repetition test (1RM)], or CT group (n=10, BMI 29.1±3.0kg/m2, three sessions/wk., 80-100% of HRmax, and 8-10 Borg, or 20 to 50% range of 1RM, to each HIIT and RT compounds), with the latter including both HIIT and RT regimens. Training interventions lasted 12-weeks. The main outcomes were FPG and FI measured at pre- and 24-h and 72-h post-training (FPG24h, FI24h, and FPG72h, FI72h, respectively). Secondary endpoints were body composition/anthropometry and the adiposity markers waist circumference (WC) and tricípital skinfold (TSF). The residual effects 72-h post-training [delta (∆)] were significantly poorer (all p<0.01) in the CT group (∆FPG72h+6.6mg/dl, η 2: 0.76) than in the HIIT (∆FPG72h+1.2mg/dl, η 2: 0.07) and RT (∆FPG72h+1.0mg/dl, η 2: 0.05) groups. These findings reveal that HIIT reduces FPG and RT reduces FI 24-h post-training; both exercise interventions alone have remarkably better residual effects on FPG and FI (post-72h) than CT in women with insulin resistance.

Effects of the exercise training on skeletal muscle oxygen consumption in heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction.

AIMS: Skeletal muscle dysfunction is a systemic consequence of heart failure (HF) that correlates with functional capacity. However, the impairment within the skeletal muscle is not well established. We investigated the effect of exercise training on peripheral muscular performance and oxygenation in HF patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: HF patients with ejection fraction ≤40% were randomized 2:1 to exercise training or control for 12 weeks. Muscle tissue oxygen was measured noninvasively by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) during rest and a symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) before and after intervention. Measurements included skeletal muscle oxygenated hemoglobin concentration, deoxygenated hemoglobin concentration, total hemoglobin concentration, VO2 peak, VE/VCO2 slope, and heart rate. Muscle sympathetic nerve activity by microneurography, and muscle blood flow by plethysmography were also assessed at rest pre and post 12 weeks. Twenty-four participants (47.5 ± 7.4 years, 58% men, 75% no ischemic) were allocated to exercise training (ET, n = 16) or control (CG, n = 8). At baseline, no differences between groups were found. Exercise improved VO2 peak, slope VE/VCO2, and heart rate. After the intervention, significant improvements at rest were seen in the ET group in muscle sympathetic nerve activity and muscle blood flow. Concomitantly, a significant decreased in Oxy-Hb (from 29.4 ± 20.4 to 15.7 ± 9.0 µmol, p = 0.01), Deoxi-Hb (from 16.3 ± 8.2 to 12.2 ± 6.0 µmol, p = 0.003) and HbT (from 45.7 ± 27.6 to 27.7 ± 13.4 µmol, p = 0.008) was detected at peak exercise after training. No changes were observed in the control group. CONCLUSION: Exercise training improves skeletal muscle function and functional capacity in HF patients with reduced ejection fraction. This improvement was associated with increased oxygenation of the peripheral muscles, increased muscle blood flow, and decreased sympathetic nerve activity.

Contemporary review of exercise in heart transplant recipients.

Heart transplantation (HTx) is a therapeutic option for a selected group of patients with end-stage heart failure. Although secondary prevention including exercise therapy is recommended in the management of patients following HTx, little information is available on their metabolic and physiological consequences in HTx. Therefore, we aimed to conduct a contemporary review the effectiveness of exercise therapy on functional capacity, cardiovascular health and health-related quality of life for adult HTx patients. We searched the database MEDLINE for articles published between January 2015 and October 2020 and were able to include 6 studies involving 202 patients. Larger improvements in exercise capacity were seen after high-intensity interval training and in patients with evidence of cardiac reinnervation. Clinically relevant reductions were observed for daytime and 24 h ambulatory blood pressure after exercise training and following a single bout of aerobic exercise. Finally, limited data suggest that quality of life is higher in HTx patients following high-intensity training. In summary, the available evidence shows the potential for exercise as a vital treatment in patients following HTx. Yet, the scant data calls for more well-designed and adequately powered studies to support its effectiveness and to unravel optimal exercise characteristics, which would allow for more effective and person-tailored exercise prescription.

Atrial fibrillation in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: a case report of exercise training.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF) are often concomitant and act in a vicious cycle. Atrial fibrillation is associated with greater functional limitations and increased morbidity and mortality in patients with HF. Moreover, AF associated with HF increases patients' physical inactivity, worsening their clinical condition, and prognosis. Exercise training is safe and has clear benefits in HF. However, these benefits have not been demonstrated when AF is associated with HF. CASE SUMMARY: We present the case of a 57-year-old man with permanent AF and HF with reduced ejection fraction, who underwent 12 weeks of exercise training that included cardiopulmonary exercise testing, neuromuscular sympathetic activity (NMSA), and muscle blood flow (MBF) before and after training. DISCUSSION: Exercise training was shown to have a potential benefit in reducing the activity of the sympathetic nerve and increasing muscle blood flow, as well as increasing VO2peak and decreasing the VE/VCO2 slope in a patient with AF associated with HF with reduced ejection fraction. These results may indicate favourable clinical implications in this group of patients.

High-Intensity Interval Versus Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training in Individuals With Parkinson's Disease: Hemodynamic and Functional Adaptation.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) versus moderate-intensity continuous exercise training (MICE) on hemodynamic and functional variables in individuals with Parkinson's disease. METHODS: Twenty participants (13 men) were randomly assigned to a thrice-weekly HIIT (n = 12) or MICE (n = 8) for 12 weeks. Hemodynamic (resting heart rate and blood pressure, carotid femoral pulse wave velocity, endothelial reactivity, and heart rate variability) and functional variables (5-time sit-to-stand, timed up and go, and 6-min walking tests) assessed before and after training. RESULTS: Demographic, hemodynamic and functional variables were similar between groups at baseline. Endothelial reactivity tended to increase after HIIT, but not after MICE, resulting in improved level (∼8%, P < .01) of this variable in HIIT versus MICE during follow-up. Six-minute walking test improved after HIIT (10.4 ± 3.8%, P < .05), but did not change after MICE. Sit to stand improved similarly after HIIT (27.2 ± 6.1%, P < .05) and MICE (21.5 ± 5.4%, P < .05). No significant changes were found after HIIT or MICE in any other variable assessed. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that exercise intensity may influence training-induced adaptation on endothelial reactivity and aerobic capacity in individuals with Parkinson's disease.

Hypotensive Effect of Heated Water-based Exercise in Older Individuals with Hypertension.

Blood pressure (BP) and hemodynamic response to heated water-based (HEx) vs. land-based exercise (LEx) were assessed in 15 (6 men) older hypertensives (age 66.4±4.9 yr) under pharmacological treatment. Participants were randomly assigned to perform 30 min of moderate-intensity HEx (walking inside the pool), LEx (walking on a treadmill) and non-exercise control (CON) intervention. Resting BP, arterial stiffness, endothelial reactivity and heart rate variability (HRV) were measured before, immediately after, and 45 min after interventions. 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring was performed after interventions. Resting systolic (but not diastolic) BP reduced 9.9±3.1 mmHg (P<0.01) 45 min after HEx only. 24-h systolic and diastolic, daytime diastolic and nightime systolic BP were lower (P<0.05) after HEx than both LEx and CON. Daytime systolic BP was also lower (P<0.05) after HEx than CON. Nighttime diastolic was not different between interventions. HEx-induced ambulatory BP reduction ranged 4.5±1.3 mmHg (24-h diastolic BP) to 9.5±3.0 mmHg (nighttime systolic BP), and persisted for 18/11 h in systolic/diastolic BP, when compared with CON. No significant changes in arterial stiffness, endothelial reactivity and HRV were found during any intervention. These results suggest that HEx may have important implications for managing BP in older hypertensive under pharmacological treatment.

Prescribing high-intensity interval exercise by RPE in individuals with type 2 diabetes: metabolic and hemodynamic responses.

We tested the hypothesis that rating of perceived exertion (RPE) is a tool as efficient as the heart rate (HR) response to the cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPX) for prescribing and self-regulating high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE), and that metabolic and hemodynamic response to HIIE is superior than to continuous moderate-intensity exercise (MICE) in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Eleven participants (age = 52.3 ± 3 years) underwent HIIE prescribed and self-regulated by RPE (HIIERPE; 25 min), HIIE prescribed and regulated by an individual's HR response to CPX (HIIEHR; 25 min), MICE prescribed and self-regulated by RPE (30 min) and control (30 min of seated resting) intervention in random order. HR, blood pressure (BP), capillary glucose, endothelial reactivity, and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity were assessed before, immediately after, and 45 min after each intervention. Exercise HR, speed, and distance were measured during exercise sessions. Twenty-four-hour ambulatory BP was measured after each intervention. Exercise HR, speed, and distance were similar between HIIERPE and HIIEHR. BP response was not different among HIIERPE, HIIEHR, and MICE. Capillary glycaemia reduction was greater (P < 0.05) after HIIERPE (48.6 ± 9.6 mg/dL) and HIIEHR (47.2 ± 9.5 mg/dL) than MICE (29.5 ± 11.5 mg/dL). Reduction (P < 0.05) in 24-h (6.7 ± 2.2 mm Hg) and tendency toward reduction (P = 0.06) in daytime systolic (7.0 ± 2.5 mm Hg) ambulatory BP were found only after HIIERPE. These results suggest that HIIE is superior to MICE for reducing glycaemia and ambulatory BP, and that the 6-20 RPE scale is a useful tool for prescribing and self-regulating HIIE in individuals with T2DM.

Hypotensive Effect of Heated Water-Based Exercise Persists After 12-Week Cessation of Training in Patients With Resistant Hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Heated water-based exercise (HEx) promotes a marked reduction of blood pressure (BP), but it is not entirely clear whether its effects on BP persist after cessation of HEx. METHODS: We analyzed the effects of cessation of HEx on 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) in patients with resistant hypertension (RH). Thirty-two patients (aged 53 ± 6 years) with RH (4 to 6 antihypertensive drugs) were randomly assigned to HEx (n = 16) or control (n = 16) groups. Antihypertensive therapy remained unchanged during the protocol. The HEx group participated in 36 sessions (60 minutes) in a heated pool (32oC [89.6°F]) for 12 weeks (training), followed by 12 weeks of cessation of training. The control group was evaluated during the same period and instructed to maintain their habitual activities. RESULTS: HEx and control groups had similar BP levels at baseline. HEx training reduced the 24-hour systolic (-19.5 ± 4.6 vs 3.0 ± 0.7 mm Hg, P = 0.001) and diastolic BP (-11.1 ± 2.4 vs 2.06 ± 0.9 mm Hg, P = 0.001) at week 12, compared with the control group. After 12 weeks of training cessation (week 24), 24-hour BP remained significantly lower in the HEx group than in the control group (-9.6 ± 3.8 vs 6.3 ± 3.5 mm Hg, P = 0.01 and -7.5±2.2 vs 2.2 ± 1.0 mm Hg, P = 0.009, for systolic and diastolic BP, respectively), although these differences were attenuated. CONCLUSIONS: BP remained lower after cessation of 12-week training among patients with RH who underwent HEx compared with the controls. The carryover effects of HEx on BP may help to overcome the challenging problem of exercise compliance in long-term follow-up.

Carvedilol for Prevention of Chemotherapy-Related Cardiotoxicity: The CECCY Trial.

BACKGROUND: Anthracycline (ANT) chemotherapy is associated with cardiotoxicity. Prevention with ß-blockers remains controversial. OBJECTIVES: This prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study sought to evaluate the role of carvedilol in preventing ANT cardiotoxicity. METHODS: The authors randomized 200 patients with HER2-negative breast cancer tumor status and normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) referred for ANT (240 mg/m2) to receive carvedilol or placebo until chemotherapy completion. The primary endpoint was prevention of a ≥10% reduction in LVEF at 6 months. Secondary outcomes were effects of carvedilol on troponin I, B-type natriuretic peptide, and diastolic dysfunction. RESULTS: Primary endpoint occurred in 14 patients (14.5%) in the carvedilol group and 13 patients (13.5%) in the placebo group (p = 1.0). No differences in changes of LVEF or B-type natriuretic peptide were noted between groups. A significant difference existed between groups in troponin I levels over time, with lower levels in the carvedilol group (p = 0.003). Additionally, a lower incidence of diastolic dysfunction was noted in the carvedilol group (p = 0.039). A nonsignificant trend toward a less-pronounced increase in LV end-diastolic diameter during the follow-up was noted in the carvedilol group (44.1 ± 3.64 mm to 45.2 ± 3.2 mm vs. 44.9 ± 3.6 mm to 46.4 ± 4.0 mm; p = 0.057). CONCLUSIONS: In this largest clinical trial of ß-blockers for prevention of cardiotoxicity under contemporary ANT dosage, the authors noted a 13.5% to 14.5% incidence of cardiotoxicity. In this scenario, carvedilol had no impact on the incidence of early onset of LVEF reduction. However, the use of carvedilol resulted in a significant reduction in troponin levels and diastolic dysfunction. (Carvedilol Effect in Preventing Chemotherapy-Induced Cardiotoxicity [CECCY]; NCT01724450).

High-Intensity Interval Training in Heart Transplant Recipients: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.

Heart transplantation (HTx) is considered an efficient and gold-standard procedure for patients with end-stage heart failure. After surgery, patients have lower aerobic power (VO2max) and compensatory hemodynamic responses. The aim of the present study was to assess through a systematic review with meta-analysis whether high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can provide benefits for those parameters. This is a systematic review with meta-analysis, which searched the databases and data portals PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct and Wiley until December 2016 (pairs). The following terms and descriptors were used: "heart recipient" OR "heart transplant recipient" OR "heart transplant" OR "cardiac transplant" OR "heart graft". Descriptors via DeCS and Mesh were: "heart transplantation'' OR "cardiac transplantation". The words used in combination (AND) were: "exercise training" OR "interval training" OR "high intensity interval training" OR "high intensity training" OR "anaerobic training" OR "intermittent training" OR "sprint training". The initial search identified 1064 studies. Then, only those studies assessing the influence of HIIT on the post-HTx period were added, resulting in three studies analyzed. The significance level adopted was 0.05. Heart transplant recipients showed significant improvement in VO2peak, heart rate and peak blood pressure in 8 to 12 weeks of intervention.

High-Intensity Interval Training in Heart Transplant Recipients: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis / Treinamento Intervalado de Alta Intensidade em Transplantados de Coração: Uma Revisão Sistemática com Meta-Análise

Abstract Heart transplantation (HTx) is considered an efficient and gold-standard procedure for patients with end-stage heart failure. After surgery, patients have lower aerobic power (VO2max) and compensatory hemodynamic responses. The aim of the present study was to assess through a systematic review with meta-analysis whether high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can provide benefits for those parameters. This is a systematic review with meta-analysis, which searched the databases and data portals PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct and Wiley until December 2016 (pairs). The following terms and descriptors were used: "heart recipient" OR "heart transplant recipient" OR "heart transplant" OR "cardiac transplant" OR "heart graft". Descriptors via DeCS and Mesh were: "heart transplantation'' OR "cardiac transplantation". The words used in combination (AND) were: "exercise training" OR "interval training" OR "high intensity interval training" OR "high intensity training" OR "anaerobic training" OR "intermittent training" OR "sprint training". The initial search identified 1064 studies. Then, only those studies assessing the influence of HIIT on the post-HTx period were added, resulting in three studies analyzed. The significance level adopted was 0.05. Heart transplant recipients showed significant improvement in VO2peak, heart rate and peak blood pressure in 8 to 12 weeks of intervention.

Resumo O transplante de coração é considerado procedimento eficiente e padrão ouro para pacientes com quadro de insuficiência cardíaca terminal. Verifica-se que após o procedimento cirúrgico os pacientes apresentam menor valor de potência aeróbia (VO2máx) e respostas hemodinâmicas descompensadas. O objetivo do presente estudo foi de verificar por meio de uma revisão sistemática com meta-análise se o treinamento intervalado de alta intensidade é capaz de proporcionar benefícios a tais capacidades. Trata-se de uma revisão sistemática com meta-análise, que realizou buscas em pares nas bases e portais de dados PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct e Wiley até dezembro de 2016. Para busca dos artigos utilizaram-se os termos e descritores: "heart recipient" OR "heart transplant recipient" OR "heart transplant" OR "cardiac transplant" OR "heart graft". Os descritores pelo DeCS e Mesh foram: "heart transplantation'' OR "cardiac transplantation". As palavras utilizadas em combinação (AND) foram "exercise training" OR "interval training" OR "high intensity interval training" OR "high intensity training" OR "anaerobic training" OR "intermittent training" OR "sprint training". A busca inicial identificou 1064 estudos. Em seguida, apenas os estudos que analisaram a influência do treinamento intervalado de alta intensidade no período pós transplante foram adicionados, sendo, assim, três estudos analisados. O nível adotado nas análises estatísticas para determinar significância foi de 0,05. Verificou-se que, entre 8 e 12 semanas de intervenção, os pacientes transplantados de coração apresentaram melhoras significativas em VO2pico, frequência cardíaca e pressão arterial pico.

Safety profile and efficacy of ivabradine in heart failure due to Chagas heart disease: a post hoc analysis of the SHIFT trial.

AIMS: The SHIFT trial showed that ivabradine reduced heart rate (HR) and the risk of cardiovascular outcomes. Concerns remain over the efficacy and safety of ivabradine on heart failure (HF) due to Chagas disease (ChD). We therefore conducted a post hoc analysis of the SHIFT trial to investigate the effect of ivabradine in these patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: SHIFT was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in symptomatic systolic stable HF, HR ≥ 70 b.p.m., and in sinus rhythm. The ChD HF subgroup included 38 patients, 20 on ivabradine, and 18 on placebo. The ChD HF subgroup showed high prevalence of bundle branch right block and, compared with the overall SHIFT population, lower systolic blood pressure; higher use of diuretics, cardiac glycosides, and antialdosterone agents; and lower use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin II receptor blocker or target daily dose of beta-blocker. ChD HF presented a poor prognosis (all-cause mortality at 2 years was ~60%). The mean twice-daily dose of ivabradine was 6.26 ± 1.15 mg and placebo 6.43 ± 1.55 mg. Ivabradine reduced HR from 77.9 ± 3.8 to 62.3 ± 10.1 b.p.m. (P = 0.005) and improved functional class (P = 0.02). A trend towards reduction in all-cause death was observed in ivabradine arm vs. placebo (P = 0.07). Ivabradine was not associated with serious bradycardia, atrioventricular block, hypotension, or syncope. CONCLUSIONS: ChD HF is an advanced form of HF with poor prognosis. Ivabradine was effective in reducing HR in these patients and improving functional class. Although our results are based on a very limited sample and should be interpreted with caution, they suggest that ivabradine may have a favourable benefit-risk profile in ChD HF patients.

Neurohumoral and Endothelial Responses to Heated Water-Based Exercise in Resistant Hypertensive Patients.

BACKGROUND: The neurohumoral and endothelial responses to the blood pressure (BP) lowering effects of heated water-based exercise (HEx) in resistant hypertension (HT) patients remain undefined.Methods and Results:We investigated these in 44 true resistant HT patients (age 53.3±0.9 years, mean±SEM). They were randomized and allocated to 2 groups, 28 to a HEx training protocol, which consisted of callisthenic exercises and walking in a heated pool for 1 h, three times weekly for 12 weeks and 16 patients to a control group maintaining their habitual activities. Measurements made before and after 12 weeks of HEx included clinic and 24-h BP, plasma levels of nitric oxide, endothelin-1, aldosterone, renin, norepinephrine and epinephrine, as well as peak V̇O2, and endothelial function (reactive hyperemia). After 12 weeks of HEx patients showed a significant decrease in clinic and 24-h systolic and diastolic BPs. Concomitantly, nitric oxide increased significantly (from 25±8 to 75±24 µmol/L, P<0.01), while endothelin-1 (from 41±5 to 26±3 pg/mL), renin (from 35±4 to 3.4±1 ng/mL/h), and norepinephrine (from 720±54 to 306±35 pg/mL) decreased significantly (P<0.01). Plasma aldosterone also tended to decrease, although not significantly (from 101±9 to 76±4 pg/mL, P=NS). Peak V̇O2increased significantly after HEx (P<0.01), while endothelial function was unchanged. No significant change was detected in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The BP-lowering effects of HEx in resistant HT patients were accompanied by a significant reduction in the marked neurohumoral activation characterizing this clinical condition.

Functional Class in Children with Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy. A pilot Study / Classe Funcional em Crianças Portadoras de Miocardiopatia Dilatada Idiopática. Estudo Piloto

Abstract Background: Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM), most common cardiac cause of pediatric deaths, mortality descriptor: a low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and low functional capacity (FC). FC is never self reported by children. Objective: The aims of this study were (i) To evaluate whether functional classifications according to the children, parents and medical staff were associated. (iv) To evaluate whether there was correlation between VO2 max and Weber's classification. Method: Prepubertal children with IDCM and HF (by previous IDCM and preserved LVEF) were selected, evaluated and compared. All children were assessed by testing, CPET and functional class classification. Results: Chi-square test showed association between a CFm and CFp (1, n = 31) = 20.6; p = 0.002. There was no significant association between CFp and CFc (1, n = 31) = 6.7; p = 0.4. CFm and CFc were not associated as well (1, n = 31) = 1.7; p = 0.8. Weber's classification was associated to CFm (1, n = 19) = 11.8; p = 0.003, to CFp (1, n = 19) = 20.4; p = 0.0001and CFc (1, n = 19) = 6.4; p = 0.04). Conclusion: Drawing were helpful for children's self NYHA classification, which were associated to Weber's stratification.

Resumo Fundamento: A cardiomiopatia dilatada idiopática (CMDid) possui poucos preditores de mortalidade descritos: a baixa fração de ejeção de ventrículo esquerdo (FEVE) e a baixa capacidade funcional, sendo esta subjetiva. Objetivo: Os objetivos desse estudo foram (i) Avaliar se as classes funcionais propostas pela NYHA, modificada para crianças, estiveram associadas entre a percepção médica (CFm), dos pais ou representantes (CFp) e das próprias crianças avaliadas (CFc). (ii) Avaliar se houve correlação entre VO2 max e a classificação proposta por Weber. Método: Crianças com CMDid e com IC por CMDid prévia com FEVE preservada, na fase pré-puberdade foram selecionadas submetidas a avaliações de ergoespirometria e classificação da classe funcional. As crianças utilizaram uma representação gráfica para se intitular quanto à classe funcional. Resultado: O teste Chi-quadrado mostrou que houve associação ente a CFm e CFp (1, n = 31) = 20,6; p = 0,002. Não houve associação significativa entre CFp e CFc (1, n = 31) = 6,7; p = 0,4. As CF segundo médico e CFc não foram, tampouco, associadas (1, n = 31) = 1,7; p = 0,8. A classificação de Weber foi significativamente associada às três classes funcionais (classificação de Weber e CFm (1, n = 19) = 11,8; p = 0,003; classificação de Weber e CFp (1, n = 19) = 20,4; p = 0,0001; classificação de Weber e CFc (1, n = 19) = 6.4; p = 0.04.). Conclusão: A representação gráfica serviu para que as crianças pudessem se classificar segundo a NYHA, que se demonstrou associada com a estratificação de Weber.

Functional Class in Children with Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy. A pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM), most common cardiac cause of pediatric deaths, mortality descriptor: a low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and low functional capacity (FC). FC is never self reported by children. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were (i) To evaluate whether functional classifications according to the children, parents and medical staff were associated. (iv) To evaluate whether there was correlation between VO2 max and Weber's classification. METHOD: Prepubertal children with IDCM and HF (by previous IDCM and preserved LVEF) were selected, evaluated and compared. All children were assessed by testing, CPET and functional class classification. RESULTS: Chi-square test showed association between a CFm and CFp (1, n = 31) = 20.6; p = 0.002. There was no significant association between CFp and CFc (1, n = 31) = 6.7; p = 0.4. CFm and CFc were not associated as well (1, n = 31) = 1.7; p = 0.8. Weber's classification was associated to CFm (1, n = 19) = 11.8; p = 0.003, to CFp (1, n = 19) = 20.4; p = 0.0001and CFc (1, n = 19) = 6.4; p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Drawing were helpful for children's self NYHA classification, which were associated to Weber's stratification.