Sociodemographic, Clinical Condition, and Functional Aerobic Capacity in Patients With Heart Failure With Varying Ventricular Ejection Fraction

Abstract Background Recently, a new heart failure (HF) classification was made considering the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) phenotype. Comprehensive assessments of the groups are required to guide patient management. Objective To determine the differences in sociodemographic, clinical, functional aerobic capacity, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) variables in patients with HF classified with different LVEFs and to explore the correlations between the variables. Methods This work is a cross-sectional descriptive and correlational study. Three groups of patients with HF (LVEF≥50%, LVEF<40%, and LVEF40-49%) were compared. Sociodemographic, clinical variables and functional aerobic capacity with Sit to Stand (STS), 6-minute walk test (6MWT), Duke Activity Status Index (DASI), Minnesota Living with HF Questionnaire (MLFHQ), and Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) were considered. The Chi-square test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test, and Spearman's correlation were used for statistical analysis. The statistical significance level was set at 5%. Results A total of 209 patients were admitted with a diagnosis of HF, with a more significant number of men. Marital status was a predominantly stable union in the HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and HF with mid-range ejection fraction (HFmrEF) groups. A sedentary lifestyle was lower in the HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) group 59 (84.3%), p-value = 0.033, and the angina pectoris was higher in the HFpEF 30 (42.9%). Systolic blood pressure at the end of the 6MWT evidenced a higher score in HFpEF 132.0±17.25 concerning HFrEF 128.0±16.57, p-value=0.043. The fat percentage was higher in HFpEF 30.20±8.80 regarding the HFmrEF group 26.51±7.60, p-value = 0.028. Conclusion There were significant differences according to the LVEF classification in marital status, angina symptoms, fat percentage, and blood pressure at rest.

Classification System for Cardiorespiratory Fitness Based on a Sample of the Brazilian Population

Peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) is an important prognostic marker and its classification helps the cardiologist in the therapeutic decision-making process. The most commonly used cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) classification has not been validated for the Brazilian population. Objective: To elaborate a CRF classification using a Brazilian sample and to compare it with the American Heart Association (AHA), Cooper and UNIFESP classifications. Methods: A total of 6,568 healthy subjects were analyzed through cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). They were distributed by sex and the following age groups (years): 7-12, 13-19, 20-79 (per decades) and > 80 years. After measurement of the VO2peak, participants were distributed into quintiles of CRF in very poor, poor, moderate, high and very high (AEMA Table). The CRF classifications by AEMA, AHA, Cooper, and UNIFESP were compared using the Wilcoxon, Kappa and concordance percentages. Results: VO2peak presented an inverse and moderate correlation with age considering both sexes (R = -0.488, p < 0.001). All paired comparisons between CRF classification systems showed differences (p < 0.001) and disagreement percentage - AEMA versus AHA (k = 0.291, 56.7%), AEMA versus Cooper (k = 0.220, 62.4%) and AEMA versus UNIFESP (k = 0.201, 63.9 %). Conclusion: The AEMA table showed important discrepancies in the classification of CRF when compared to other tables widely used in our setting. Because it was obtained from a large sample of the Brazilian population, the AEMA table should be preferred over other classification systems in our population

Clinical and functional variables can predict general fatigue in patients with acromegaly: an explanatory model approach

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate whether hormonal profile, arterial function, and physical capacity are predictors of fatigue in patients with acromegaly. Subjects and methods: This is a cross-sectional study including 23 patients. The subjects underwent a Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) assessment; serum growth hormones (GH) and IGF-1 measurements; pulse wave analysis comprising pulse wave velocity (PWV), arterial compliance (AC), and the reflection index (IR1,2); dominant upper limb dynamometry (DYN); and the six-minute walking distance test (6MWT). Multiple linear regression models were used to identify predictors for MFIS. The coefficient of determination R2 was used to assess the quality of the models' fit. The best model was further analyzed using a calibration plot and a limits of agreement (LOA) plot. Results The mean ± SD values for the participants' age, MFIS, PWV, AC, IR1,2, DYN, and the distance in the 6MWT were 49.4 ± 11.2 years, 31.2 ± 18.9 score, 10.19 ± 2.34 m/s, 1.08 ± 0.46 x106 cm5/din, 85.3 ± 29.7%, 33.9 ± 9.3 kgf, and 603.0 ± 106.1 m, respectively. The best predictive model (R2 = 0.378, R2 adjusted = 0.280, standard error = 16.1, and P = 0.026) comprised the following regression equation: MFIS = 48.85 - (7.913 × IGF-I) + (1.483 × AC) - (23.281 × DYN). Conclusion Hormonal, vascular, and functional variables can predict general fatigue in patients with acromegaly.

Changes in Strain Pattern and Exercise Capacity after Transcatheter Closure of Atrial Septal Defects

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Assessment of left ventricle (LV) function by using strain and strain rate is popular in the clinical setting. However, the use of these echocardiographic tools in assessing right ventricle (RV) failure, and the manner in which they both reflect the functional capacity of the patient, remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the change in exercise capacity and strain between before and (1 month) after the transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects (ASDs). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty patients who underwent transcatheter closure of ASD between May 2014 and June 2015 at the Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Severance Cardiovascular Hospital, were enrolled. We compared and analyzed the results of the following examinations, before and (1 month) after the procedure: echocardiography, cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET), and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide level. RESULTS: There were no mortalities, and the male-to-female ratio was 1:2. The mean defect size was 22.3±4.9 mm; the mean Qp/Qs ratio, 2.1±0.5; and the mean device size, 22.3±4.9 mm. Changes in global RV longitudinal (GRVL) strain and LV torsion were measured echocardiographically. Exercise capacity improved from 7.7±1.2 to 8.7±1.8 metabolic equivalents (p=0.001). These findings correlated to the change in GRVL strain (p=0.03). CONCLUSION: The average exercise capacity increased after device closure of ASD. The change in strain was evident on echocardiography, especially for GRVL strain and LV torsion. Further studies comparing CPET and strain in various patients may show increased exercise capacity in patients with improved RV function.

Effect of psychological nursing on treadmill exercise tests in patients with cardiacneurosis / 现代临床护理

Objective To explore the effect of psychological nursing on the treadmill exercise tests(TET)in patients with cardiacneurosis.Methods 86 patients with cardiacneurosis were randomly divided into the treatment group(n=44)and the control group(n=42): both were treated with medication for two weeks and the former with extra treatment of psychological nursing intervention.Then the anxiety and depression among all the participants were assessed using the Self-rating Anxiety Scale(SAS)and Self-rating Depression Scale(SDS).The two groups were compared in terms of anxiety and depression as well as TET.Results The scores on anxiety and depression in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group and the negative rate of TET was significantly higher than that in the control group(all P<0.05).Conclusion The psychological nursing intervention may reduce the anxiety and depression of the patients with cardiacneurosis and improve the accuracy of TET.

La ventilación no invasiva mejora los resultados en las pruebas de ejercicio en pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica / Non-invasive ventilation improves the outcome of exercise in COPD patients

Existen pocos estudios sobre el efecto de la Ventilación de doble nivel de presión positiva (VNI) sobre el ejercicio en pacientes con EPOC. El objetivo fue evaluar el impacto de la VNI en la respuesta a ejercicios máximos ysubmáximos en pruebas de campo en pacientes con EPOC. Fueron incluidos pacientes con EPOC (definición GOLD). Se les realizó una prueba de 6 minutos (según normativas de ATS), de escalera (Girish et al., Chest 2001) y ShuttleTest (Singh et al., Thorax 1992) con medición de escala de Borg de miembros inferiores y disnea, saturación arterial y frecuencia cardíaca. A través de una máscara nasal, se adaptó VNI con promedio 15 cmH2O de IPAP y 4 cmH2O de EPAP, y luego se realizaronlas mismas pruebas de ejercicio. Fueron evaluados 11 pacientes con EPOC: mediana edad: 61 años (IC25-75%, 58-75), sexo masculino 72%, FVC: 65% (IC25-75%, 60,1-70); FEV1: 37,4(IC25-75%, 33,97-42,5); FEV1/FVC: 46 (IC25-75%, 42,5-52,5); PaO2:68 mmHg (IC25-75%,63-75,3); PaCO2:40mmHg (IC25-75%,39-41).En la prueba de 6 minutos, se observó que la VNI aumentaba la distancia caminada en 61.78 % (p=0.001) la distancia caminada y la carga (kg.m) en 16,55% (p=0.002). No había cambios significativos en los síntomas (fatiga y disnea) por escala de Borg. En la prueba de escalera, se observó que la VNI incrementaba la velocidad de ascensoen 11,81% (p=0.05), sin cambios significativos en los síntomas o la altura ascendida. En el shuttle test, se observó que la VNI aumenta la distancia caminada en 30.6% (p=0.001), sin cambio significativos en los síntomas.En conclusión, se observó una significativa mejoría en las distancias caminadas y mayor velocidad de ascenso en la de escalera. Es la primera comunicación del efecto de la VNIsobre pruebas de escalera en pacientes con EPOC.

There are few exercise studies about the effect of bi-level non-invasive ventilation (NIV) on the exercise in COPD patients. The objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of NIV on the results of submaximal and maximal field exercise tests in COPD patients. The COPD patients were selected according to the GOLD definition. The study tests included: the six minute walking test (ATS guidelines), stair climbing test (Girish et al., Chest 2001) and shuttle test (Singh et al., Thorax 1992) which were measured with the Borg scale for legs and dyspnea, arterial saturation and heart rate. With a nasal mask, the NIV was adapted with pressure support ventilation through 15 cm H2O of IPAP and 4 cm H2O of EPAP. Then, the same exercise tests were performed. Eleven COPD patients were evaluated: age (median) 61 years (IC25-75%, 58-75), male sex 72%, FVC: 65% (IC25-75%, 60.1-70); FEV1: 37.4(IC25-75%, 33.97-42.5); FEV1/FVC: 46 (IC25-75%, 42.5-52.5); PaO2: 68 mmHg (IC25-75%,63-75.3); PaCO2: 40mmHg(IC25-75%, 39-41). The NIV increased the walked distance by 61.78% (p=0.001) and load (kg.m) by 16.55%(p=0.002) in the six minute walking test. There was no significant difference in the symptoms (dyspnea and fatigue) in the Borg scale. The NIV increased the ascent velocity by 11.81% (p=0.05) in the stair climbing test. No significant changes in symptoms and ascended height were observed. The NIV increased the walked distance by 30.6% (p=0.001), without significant changes in symptoms. As conclusion, distance increased significantly with NIV in the six minute walking test and shuttle test. A higher velocity was observed in the stair climbing test. This study was the first experience of NIV on the stair climbing test in COPD patients.

Correlation between High-sensitivity C Reactive Protein and Oxygen Uptake Efficiency Slope in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease / 中国康复理论与实践

@#ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between high-sensitivity C reactive protein （hs-CRP） and oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES) in patents with cardiovascular disease. MethodsExercise tests, following a symptom-limited standard Bruce protocol with simultaneous respiratory gas-exchange measurements, were performed on a treadmill in 17 post-PCI patients, 21 stable angina pectoris and 24 patients with essential hypertension (EH). The oxygen uptake (VO2), minute ventilation (VE) were determined. The OUES was derived from the relation between VO2 (ml/min) and VE (L/min) during incremental exercise and was determined by VO2=a×lgVE+b, where a = OUES. The OUES was calculated from data of the first 75% (OUES75) and 100% (OUES100) of exercise duration. The serum hs-CRP was measured by immunoassays, and the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was measured with echocardiography. ResultsOUES75 （r=-0.506,P＜0.001）, OUES100 （r=-0.567,P＜0.001） and LVEF （r=-0.286,P＜0.01） were correlated with lg(hs-CRP). In stepwise multivariable linear regression models, lg(hs-CRP) （β=-0.374，P=0.006）, body height （β=-1.854，P=0.036）, body weight （β=-5.033，P=0.034）were independent risk factors of lower OUES75. lg(hs-CRP) （β=-0.396，P=0.003）, body height （β=-2.157，P=0.013）, body weight （β=-5.912，P=0.011） were independent risk factors of lower OUES100. ConclusionThe serum leveles of hs-CRP may be the useful marker that reflecting cardiopulmonary functional reserve and left ventricular function.

Six-Minute Walk Distance in Healthy Japanese Adults / General Medicine

<b>BACKGROUND</b> : Norm-referenced equations to predict the 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) in healthy Japanese subjects have not been established. The current study aimed to determine the reference values for 6MWD in healthy Japanese adults.<br><b>METHODS</b> : Ninety-seven healthy Japanese men and women aged 40-79 years were recruited from Kyoto city using posters and flyers. Measurements of 6MWD were performed twice on an indoor 30 m track with 20 minutes rest between the two tests. Before performing the tests, age, gender, height, body weight, waist circumference, a questionnaire for health status, spirometry, and a 12-lead electrocardiogram were recorded. The 6MWD was measured following guidelines published in 2002 by the American Thoracic Society.<br><b>RESULTS</b> : The mean age of the study subjects was 57.0±9.4, and 63 of the 97 subjects were female. The mean 6MWD for all subjects was 672±83 m, with a range of 483-903 m. The 6MWD is significantly correlated with age, height, waist circumference, forced vital capacity (FVC), and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁). A multiple linear model showed age, waist circumference, and FVC were significantly associated with 6MWD and the model explained 35% of the variability in 6MWD. When FVC was replaced by height, the regression model also explained 32% of the variation. The measured 6MWD of Japanese subjects was similar to the predicted 6MWD using the equations derived from Caucasian subjects.<br><b>CONCLUSIONS</b> : The 6MWD was affected to a substantial degree by age, waist circumference, height, and FVC in healthy Japanese adults.

Correlation analysis associated with Holter electrocardiogram and treadmill exercise test in diagnosis of coronary artery disease / 中国基层医药

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of treadmill exercise tests (TET), Hoher electro-cardiogram in coronary artery disease(CAD) patients. Methods 144 patients who clinically diagnosed as CAD,un-derwent TET and Hoher electrocardiogram. Then the patients with the positive results were examined by coronary arte-riography(CAG). According to the results of CAG the diagnostic value of TET and Hoher electrocardiogram was per-formed with comparative analysis. Results The sensitivity, specificity and evaluated accuracy rates of TET were 93.3% ,72. 2% and 73. 8% respectively. But the sensitivity,specificity and positive evaluated accuracy rates of Hol-ter electrocardiogram to examine myocardial iachemia were 76.7%, 88.4%, 57.1%. Conclusions The combined examination of TET and Holter electrocardiogram could preliminarily estimate the stenosis site of coronary artery. For the patients with unconditional GAG, those two examinations could increase the diagnostic reliability of positive rate of myocardial isehemia, and on this basis to enhance the diagnostic level of the stenosis site of coronary artery.

Clinical Analysis of 63 Cases of Myocardial Bridge / 医学研究杂志

Objective To evaluate the significance of myocardial bridge and find a reasonable diagnosis and treatment strategy.Methods Sixty-three myocardial bridge patients and sixty-three patients with negative results of coronary artery angiography were reviewed.The clinical data of symptoms,electrocardiogram,exercise tests,coronary artery angiography,therapeutics and the serum levels of C-reactive protein(CRP)were analyzed.Results The symptoms of chest distress and chest pain were found in myocardial bridge patients.Myocardial consumption of oxygen augmentation causes the symptoms of aggravation.Positive results of electrocardiogram and exercise tests in many of myocardial bridge patients were examined.There were no relationship with severity of myocardial bridge artery stenosis.Most of myocardial bridge were discovered in anterior descending branch.At present,the main treatment of myocardial bridge was drug therapeutics.After treatment,the serum levels of CRP was significantly decreased.Conclusion Myocardial bridge was anatomy abnormality with important clinical significance.The serum levels of CRP can be used to evalue the therapeutic efficacy of myocardial bridge.

Analysis on results of exercise tests of ECG ST-T continuous changes / 中国基层医药

Objective To explore the relationship between the ST-T continuous changes of ECG and the chronic coronary insufficiency.Methods 158 cases of ST-T continuous changes of ECG were treated with selective plate exercise tests and the coronary arteriography.Results 54 cases of plate exercise tests were positive(34.2%),104 cases were negative(65.8%).36 cases were diagnosed as the stenosis of coronary through the coronary arteriography(22.7%).But among 54 positive cases of plate exercise tests,33 cases had the stenosis of coronary,accounting for 91.6% in the cases of stenosis of coronary.Conclusion The quiescent ECG ST-T continuous changes aren't specfic changes of chronic myocardial ischemia.Most of them are caused by other reasons.