Inverse correlation between testosterone and ventricle ejection fraction, hemodynamics and exercise capacity in heart failure patients with erectile dysfunction

BACKGROUND: Neurohormonal activation and abnormalities in growth hormone and testosterone concentrations have been reported in heart failure (HF). Erectile dysfunction(ED) is common in these patients and contributes to a low quality of life. No data are known regarding the correlation between testosterone and hemodynamics, exercise capacity and cardiac function in HF patients with ED, a marker of endothelial dysfunction. The aim of this study was to correlate testosterone levels with cardiac function, hemodynamic and exercise capacity in HF patients with ED. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen HF patients underwent a six-minute treadmill cardiopulmonary walking test (6'CWT) and, ten minutes later, a maximum cardiopulmonary exercise test. Also, testosterone and other hormones were determined at rest. RESULTS: Among hemodynamic variables only diastolic blood pressure on 6'CWT was correlated with testosterone levels(r =- 0.66, p = 0.007). The variables on exercise tests, VE/VCO2 slope and oxygen consumption did not show any correlation, except the distance at 6'CWT (r = 0.50, p = 0,047). Right and left ventricle ejection fraction showed inverse correlation with testosterone (r =- 0.55, p = 0.03 and r =- 0.69, p = 0.004 respectively). CONCLUSION: Testosterone levels correlated directly with distance at six-minute cardiopulmonary walk test and inversely with diastolic blood pressure, right and left ventricle ejection fraction in heart failure patients with erectile dysfunction. Further elucidation of mechanisms as regards testosterone action in these patients is warranted.

Acute aerobic exercise reduces 24-h ambulatory blood pressure levels in long-term-treated hypertensive patients

BACKGROUND: Even with anti-hypertensive therapy, it is difficult to maintain optimal systemic blood pressure values in hypertensive patients. Exercise may reduce blood pressure in untreated hypertensive, but its effect when combined with long-term anti-hypertensive therapy remains unclear. Our purpose was to evaluate the acute effects of a single session of aerobic exercise on the blood pressure of long-term-treated hypertensive patients. METHODS: Fifty treated hypertensive patients (18/32 male/female; 46.5±8.2 years; Body mass index: 27.8±4.7 kg/m²) were monitored for 24 h with respect to ambulatory (A) blood pressure after an aerobic exercise session (post-exercise) and a control period (control) in random order. Aerobic exercise consisted of 40 minutes on a cycle-ergometer, with the mean exercise intensity at 60 percent of the patient's reserve heart rate. RESULTS: Post-exercise ambulatory blood pressure was reduced for 24 h systolic (126±8.6 vs. 123.1±8.7 mmHg, p=0.004) and diastolic blood pressure (81.9±8 vs. 79.8±8.5 mmHg, p=0.004), daytime diastolic blood pressure (85.5±8.5 vs. 83.9±8.8 mmHg, p=0.04), and nighttime S (116.8±9.9 vs. 112.5±9.2 mmHg, p<0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (73.5±8.8 vs. 70.1±8.4 mmHg, p<0.001). Post-exercise daytime systolic blood pressure also tended to be reduced (129.8±9.3 vs. 127.8±9.4 mmHg, p=0.06). These post-exercise decreases in ambulatory blood pressure increased the percentage of patients displaying normal 24h systolic blood pressure (58 percent vs. 76 percent, p=0.007), daytime systolic blood pressure (68 percent vs. 82 percent, p=0.02), and nighttime diastolic blood pressure (56 percent vs. 72 percent, p=0.02). Nighttime systolic blood pressure also tended to increase (58 percent vs. 80 percent, p=0.058). CONCLUSION: A single bout of aerobic exercise reduced 24h ambulatory blood pressure levels in long-term-treated hypertensive patients and increased the percentage of patients reaching normal...

Insuficiência cardíaca: importância da atividade física / Heart failure: exercise training

A insuficiência cardíaca é uma síndrome complexa de prognóstico sombrio. É associada a limitação a limitação física mesmo com medidas terapêuticas adequadas. Um dos principais sintomas é a limitação da capacidade funcional, com dispnéia aos esforçoss. Atribuem-se diversas causas, como vasoconstrição, disfunção endotelial e anormalidade da musculatura esquelética, além da disfunção ventricular. O treinamento físico torna-se uma opção de tratamento adequdo, não farmacológico, visando a melhorar a respiração do paciente sem causar dano ao músculo cardíaco.

Efeitos da digoxina e do verapamil sobre a capacidade física em idosos portadores de fibrilaçäo atrial crônica isolada / Effects of digoxin and verapa mil on physical capacity in the elderly with isolated chronic atrial fibrillation

Considerando-se o usual emprego de fármacos depressores do cronotropismo em portadores de fibrilaçäo atrial crônica (FAC), objetivou-se avaliar os reais efeitos da digoxina e do verapamil sobre a capacidade física de idosis portadores desta arritmia, isolada. Foram selecionados 9 pacientes (6 homens), com idade média de 76 ñ 5 anos, que foram submetidos à avaliaçäo cardiopulmonar durante esforço, a intervalos de 10 días, na seqüência: sem droga, sob uso de digoxina 0,25 mg/dia e com verapamil 240mg/dia. Verificou-se que somente o verapamil reduziu a freqüência cardíaca máxima, em relaçäo ao estado sem droga. Porém, assim como a digoxina, näo modificou significativamente o consumo máximo de oxigênio. É discutível, portanto, o emprego destes fármacos nos casos de FAC sem disfunçäo ventricular