Publications (3)26.13 Total impact
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Article: Exercise training improves exercise capacity and diastolic function in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: results of the Ex-DHF (Exercise training in Diastolic Heart Failure) pilot study.
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ABSTRACT: We sought to determine whether structured exercise training (ET) improves maximal exercise capacity, left ventricular diastolic function, and quality of life (QoL) in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Nearly one-half of patients with heart failure experience HFpEF, but effective therapeutic strategies are sparse. A total of 64 patients (age 65 ± 7 years, 56% female) with HFpEF were prospectively randomized (2:1) to supervised endurance/resistance training in addition to usual care (ET, n = 44) or to usual care alone (UC) (n = 20). The primary endpoint was the change in peak Vo(2) after 3 months. Secondary endpoints included effects on cardiac structure, diastolic function, and QoL. Peak Vo(2) increased (16.1 ± 4.9 ml/min/kg to 18.7 ± 5.4 ml/min/kg; p < 0.001) with ET and remained unchanged (16.7 ± 4.7 ml/min/kg to 16.0 ± 6.0 ml/min/kg; p = NS) with UC. The mean benefit of ET was 3.3 ml/min/kg (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.8 to 4.8, p < 0.001). E/e' (mean difference of changes: -3.2, 95% CI: -4.3 to -2.1, p < 0.001) and left atrial volume index (milliliters per square meter) decreased with ET and remained unchanged with UC (-4.0, 95% CI: -5.9 to -2.2, p < 0.001). The physical functioning score (36-Item Short-Form Health Survey) improved with ET and remained unchanged with UC (15, 95% CI: 7 to 24, p < 0.001). The ET-induced decrease of E/e' was associated with 38% gain in peak Vo(2) and 50% of the improvement in physical functioning score. Exercise training improves exercise capacity and physical dimensions of QoL in HFpEF. This benefit is associated with atrial reverse remodeling and improved left ventricular diastolic function. (Exercise Training in Diastolic Heart Failure-Pilot Study: A Prospective, Randomised, Controlled Study to Determine the Effects of Physical Training on Exercise Capacity and Quality of Life [Ex-DHF-P]; ISRCTN42524037).Journal of the American College of Cardiology 10/2011; 58(17):1780-91. · 14.16 Impact Factor -
Article: Self-rated health predicts adverse events during beta-blocker treatment: The CIBIS-ELD randomised trial analysis.
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ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Self-rated health (SRH) predicts outcome in patients with heart failure. Beta-blockers are known to improve health-related quality of life and reduce mortality in such patients. We aimed to evaluate the relation between SRH and adverse events during titration of beta-blockers in elderly patients with heart failure. METHODS: The cardiac insufficiency bisoprolol study in the elderly (CIBIS-ELD) is a multicentre, double-blind trial, in which 883 patients aged ≥65years with chronic heart failure (73±6years, 38% women, left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] 42%±14%) were randomised to bisoprolol or carvedilol. SRH was assessed at baseline and after 12weeks, using a 5-grade descriptive scale: excellent, very good, good, fair, and poor. RESULTS: Median SRH at baseline and follow-up was good, but more patients reported fair/poor SRH at baseline (36% vs. 30%, p=0.012). Women, beta-blocker-naïve patients, patients in NYHA class III/IV and those with PHQ-9 score ≥12 were more likely to report fair/poor baseline SRH (p<0.001 for all). During follow-up, SRH improved in 34% of patients and worsened in 8% (p<0.001). Adverse events were experienced by 64% patients and 38% experienced >1 adverse event or serious adverse event, with higher prevalence in lower SRH categories. In a multivariate logistic regression model, SRH, age, distance achieved on the 6-min walk test and LVEF >45% predicted adverse events (p<0.05 for all). CONCLUSIONS: SRH is an independent predictor of adverse events during titration of beta-blockers and correlates with the proportion and number of adverse events per patient.International journal of cardiology 06/2011; · 7.08 Impact Factor -
Article: Titration to target dose of bisoprolol vs. carvedilol in elderly patients with heart failure: the CIBIS-ELD trial.
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ABSTRACT: Various beta-blockers with distinct pharmacological profiles are approved in heart failure, yet they remain underused and underdosed. Although potentially of major public health importance, whether one agent is superior in terms of tolerability and optimal dosing has not been investigated. The aim of this study was therefore to compare the tolerability and clinical effects of two proven beta-blockers in elderly patients with heart failure. We performed a double-blind superiority trial of bisoprolol vs. carvedilol in 883 elderly heart failure patients with reduced or preserved left ventricular ejection fraction in 41 European centres. The primary endpoint was tolerability, defined as reaching and maintaining guideline-recommended target doses after 12 weeks treatment. Adverse events and clinical parameters of patient status were secondary endpoints. None of the beta-blockers was superior with regards to tolerability: 24% [95% confidence interval (CI) 20-28] of patients in the bisoprolol arm and 25% (95% CI 21-29) of patients in the carvedilol arm achieved the primary endpoint (P= 0.64). The use of bisoprolol resulted in greater reduction of heart rate (adjusted mean difference 2.1 b.p.m., 95% CI 0.5-3.6, P= 0.008) and more, dose-limiting, bradycardic adverse events (16 vs. 11%; P= 0.02). The use of carvedilol led to a reduction of forced expiratory volume (adjusted mean difference 50 mL, 95% CI 4-95, P= 0.03) and more, non-dose-limiting, pulmonary adverse events (10 vs. 4%; P < 0.001). Overall tolerability to target doses was comparable. The pattern of intolerance, however, was different: bradycardia occurred more often in the bisoprolol group, whereas pulmonary adverse events occurred more often in the carvedilol group. This study is registered with controlled-trials.com, number ISRCTN34827306.European Journal of Heart Failure 03/2011; 13(6):670-80. · 4.90 Impact Factor
