[Cardiorespiratory response during exercise in heart transplant recipients. Comparative ergoespirometric analysis with normal health subjects]. / Respostas cardiorrespiratórias durante exercício em portadores de transplante cardíaco. Análise ergoespirométrica comparativa com indivíduos normais.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the cardiorespiratory response of heart transplant (HT) recipients. METHODS: Nine HT recipients (GI) underwent ergospirometric tests and were compared to 9 apparently healthy, sedentary subjects with similar sex, age, weight and height (GII). All were male patients aging 48 +/- 12 years, in functional class I (NYHA) an average of 23 +/- 21 months after HT. They were receiving cyclosporin, azathioprine, prednisone, dipyridamole and antihypertensive drugs. The tests were symptom-limited and they were interrupted due to exhaustion. RESULTS: During peak exercise, GI had a significantly lower physical performance related to lower VO2, VE, VEO2, HR, endurance time and work load. At the anaerobic threshold, VO2, endurance time and work load levels were also significantly lower in GI. The physical performance was similar between the groups in the 40W load. CONCLUSION: The cardiorespiratory performance in GI was significantly lower at peak exercise and similar to GII in the 40W load, showing the HT benefits cardiac patients during usual activities.

[Acute hemodynamic effects of ibopamine, captopril, and placebo in patients with severe heart failure]. / Efeitos hemodinâmicos agudos da ibopamina, captopril e placebo em pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca grave.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the acute hemodynamic effects of ibopamine (IBO), captopril (CAP) and placebo (PLA) in patients with severe congestive heart failure at rest. METHODS: Twelve male patients in sinus rhythm with dilated cardiomyopathy and NYHA class IV were studied with Swan-Ganz hemodynamics. Drugs were given in a blinded fashion. Rest, 30 min and every hour for 5 h measurements were made after oral ingestion of 100 mg IBO, 25 mg CAP or PLA. Prior to the study, patients were on diuretics as the only medication for at least 48 h. Comparisons were made with analysis of variance of repeated measurements and Duncan's multiple comparisons procedure. RESULTS: Significant increase in cardiac index and stroke volume index and reduction in systemic vascular resistance were observed with IBO and CAP for 2 h after ingestion. IBO however increased right and left filling pressures in the first hour after its administration. Ventricular tachycardia occurred in 2 patients 1 h after IBO administration. CONCLUSION: Both IBO and CAP improved hemodynamic parameters in the first two hours after oral ingestion in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy in class IV.