Abstract
Background: In this prospective, controlled, randomized study we investigated the effect of exercise and respiratory therapy on peak oxygen consumption (primary endpoint peak VO2/kg), hemodynamics at rest and during exertion and right ventricular function in patients with PH.
Methods: Ninety-five patients with invasively diagnosed PH under optimized medication therapy were randomized.The training group received a 3-week training therapy with a specific exercise and respiratory therapy.Patients of the control group continued their sedentary lifestyle as before. At baseline and after 3 months patients were examined.
Results: In a complete case-analysis the training group showed a significant improvement in the primary endpoint peak VO2/kg (difference baseline vs. 3 months: training +3.1±2.7 vs. control -0.2±2.3ml/min/kg, p<0.001). Furthermore, the training group showed a significant increase of cardiac index at rest (training +0.2±0.6 vs. control -0.3±0.8L/min/m2, p<0.001) and during exercise (training +1.0±1.4 vs. control -0.2±0.6L/min/m2, p=0.005) and a significant reduction of mean pulmonary arterial pressure (training -2.8±5.9 vs. control +3.9±8.0mmHg, p<0.001). Moreover the 6-minute walking distance (p=0.001), WHO-functional class (p=0.04) and the maximal workload during cardiopulmonary exercise testing (p<0.001) improved significantly in the training group.
Conclusion: This prospective, randomized controlled, multicentre study showed for the first time that training might not only improve physical exercise capacity but also hemodynamics and right ventricular function in patients with pulmonary hypertension.
- © 2014 ERS
