Non-invasive ventilation improves exercise tolerance and peripheral vascular function after high-intensity exercise in COPD-HF patients.

Aim: Evaluate the acute effects of non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NiPPV) during high-intensity exercise on endothelial function in patients with coexisting chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart failure (HF).

Methods: This is a randomized, double blinded, sham-controlled study involving 14 COPD-HF patients, who underwent a lung function test and Doppler echocardiography. On two different days, patients performed incremental cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and two constant-work rate tests (80% of CPET peak) receiving Sham or NiPPV (bilevel mode - Astral 150) in a random order until the limit of tolerance (Tlim).

Left ventricular concentric remodeling and impaired cardiorespiratory fitness in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction.

Background: Left ventricular (LV) concentric remodeling refers to a process by which increased LV relative wall thickness alters myocardial geometry, resulting in reduced LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) and stroke volume (SV). While the degree of concentric remodeling is a negative prognostic factor in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), it is not known how it contributes to cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF).

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with HFpEF who underwent treadmill single-photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT-MPI) and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX).

Short-term effects of maximal dynamic exercise on flow-mediated dilation in professional female soccer players.

Background: Endothelial function assessment may provide important insights into the cardiovascular function and long-term effects of exercise training. Many studies have investigated the possible negative effects on cardiovascular function due to extreme athletic performance, leading to undesirable effects. The purposes of this study were to investigate the acute effects of maximal intensity exercise on endothelium-dependent vasodilation, and to understand the patterns of flow-mediated dilation (FMD) change following maximal exercise in elite female athletes with a high-volume training history.

Identification of Patients With COPD in a Cardiac Rehabilitation Setting: THE COnCuR STUDY.

Purpose: To examine the feasibility of screening for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in an outpatient cardiac rehabilitation (CR) setting and to evaluate the detection rate of COPD using a targeted screening protocol.

Methods: A total of 95 patients (62.5 ± 10.

Prognostic Value of NT-Pro Brain Natriuretic Peptide During Exercise Recovery in Ischemic Heart Failure of Reduced, Midrange, and Preserved Ejection Fraction.

Background: Ischemic heart disease is a leading cause of heart failure (HF), which continues to carry a high mortality despite considerable improvements in diagnosis and treatment. N-terminal-pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) measured at rest is a recognized diagnostic and prognostic marker of HF of reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF); however, its value in patients with HF of midranged/preserved ejection fraction (HFmrEF/HFpEF) is not well established. We examined the prognostic value of NT-pro-BNP during recovery from exercise in patients with ischemic HF (IHF) of any ejection fraction.

Characterization of the blood pressure response during cycle ergometer cardiopulmonary exercise testing in black and white men : Data from the Fitness Registry and Importance of Exercise: A National Database (FRIEND).

It has been established that blacks have higher overall incidence and prevalence of hypertension compared to their white counterparts. However, the maximum blood pressure (BP) response of blacks to exercise has not been characterized. A total of 5996 apparently healthy men from the Fitness Registry and Importance of Exercise: A National Database (FRIEND) who underwent maximum cardiopulmonary exercise tests on a cycle ergometer were included in this analysis.

Cardiovascular involvement in COVID-19: not to be missed.

In December 2019, a striking appearance of new cases of viral pneumonia in Wuhan led to the detection of a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV2). By analyzing patients with severe manifestations, it became apparent that 20 to 35% of patients who died had preexisting cardiovascular disease. This finding warrants the important need to discuss the influence of SARS-CoV2 infection on the cardiovascular system and hemodynamics in the context of clinical management, particularly during mechanical ventilation.

The Urgent Need to Sit Less and Move More During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic containment and mitigation strategies may lead to excessive physical inactivity and sedentary behavior, drastically impacting cardiorespiratory fitness and overall health. It is urgent to safely find ways to sit less and move more.

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing - refining the clinical perspective by combining assessments.

Introduction: Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is now established as a vital sign. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) is the gold-standard approach to assessing CRF.

Areas Covered: A body of literature spanning several decades clearly supports the clinical utility of CPX in those who are apparently health and at risk for chronic disease as well as numerous patient populations.

Effect of high-intensity exercise on cerebral, respiratory and peripheral muscle oxygenation of HF and COPD-HF patients.

Objective: To investigate cerebral oxygenation (Cox) responses as well as respiratory (Res) and active peripheral muscle (Pm) O delivery during high-intensity cycling exercise and contrast responses between patients with coexistent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-heart failure (HF) and HF alone.

Methods: Cross-sectional study involving 11 COPD-HF and 11 HF patients. On two different days, patients performed maximal incremental cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and constant load exercise on a cycle ergometer until the limit of tolerance (Tlim).

More than a matter of the heart: the concept of intravascular multimorbidity in cardiac rehabilitation.

Introduction: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the major cause of death of cardiovascular disease. It is initiated by atherosclerosis, which narrows the coronary arteries and limits blood flow and oxygen to the heart. Multiple pathophysiological conditions within the arteries, such as arterial wall thickening, endothelial dysfunction, and arterial stiffening, are associated with the development of atherosclerosis.

Accuracy of Exercise-based Equations for Estimating Cardiorespiratory Fitness.

Unlabelled: Equations are often used to predict cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) from submaximal or maximal exercise tests. However, no study has comprehensively compared these exercise-based equations with directly measured CRF using data from a single, large cohort.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the accuracy of exercise-based prediction equations with directly measured CRF and evaluate their ability to classify an individual's CRF.

Exercise and well-being during COVID 19 - time to boost your immunity.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic is causing devastating global morbidity and mortality. Worldwide measures are taken to prevent human to human transmission and improve general health. Public lifestyle and health are affected by social distancing and isolation.

New Equations for Predicting Maximum Oxygen Uptake in Patients With Heart Failure.

We obtained directly measured maximal oxygen uptake (VO max) by open-circuit spirometry in 1,453 patients with chronic heart failure (HF) who completed a treadmill test (n = 1,453) or cycle ergometry (n = 1,838), as participants in The Fitness Registry and the Importance of Exercise National Data Base (FRIEND) dataset. We developed a new equation to predict measured VO max in those using a treadmill by randomly sampling 70% of the participants from each of the following age categories: <40, 40 to 50, 50 to 70, and >70 and used the remaining 30% for validation. Multivariable linear regression analysis was applied to identify the most relevant variables and construct the best prediction model for VO max.

Effects of acute inspiratory loading during treadmill running on cerebral, locomotor and respiratory muscle oxygenation in women soccer players.

Respiratory limitation can be a primary mechanism for exercise cessation in female athletes. This study aimed to assess the effects of inspiratory loading (IL) on intercostal muscles (IM), vastus lateralis (VL) and cerebral (Cox) muscles oxygenation in women soccer players during high-intensity dynamic exercise. Ten female soccer players were randomized to perform in order two constant-load tests on a treadmill until the exhaustion time (Tlim) (100 % of maximal oxygen uptake- V˙O).

Personal activity intelligence and mortality - Data from the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study.

Importance: Personal activity intelligence (PAI) is a novel activity metric that can be integrated into self-assessment heart rate devices, and translates heart rate variations during exercise into a weekly score. Previous studies relating to PAI have been conducted in the same populations from Norway where the PAI metric has been derived, limiting generalizability of the results.

Objective: To test whether PAI is associated with total and cause-specific mortality in a large cohort from the United States.

Expiratory Flow Limitation at Different Exercise Intensities in Coronary Artery Disease.

Introduction: Expiratory flow limitation (EFL) during moderate intensity exercise is present in patients with myocardial infarction (MI), whereas in healthy subjects it occurs only at a high intensity. However, it is unclear whether this limitation already manifests in those with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) (without MI).

Materials And Methods: Forty-one men aged 40-65 years were allocated into (1) recent MI (RMI) group ( = 8), (2) late MI (LMI) group ( = 12), (3) stable CAD group ( = 9), and (4) healthy control group (CG) ( = 12).

Accuracy of Nonexercise Prediction Equations for Assessing Longitudinal Changes to Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Apparently Healthy Adults: BALL ST Cohort.

Background Repeated assessment of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) improves mortality risk predictions in apparently healthy adults. Accordingly, the American Heart Association suggests routine clinical assessment of CRF using, at a minimum, nonexercise prediction equations. However, the accuracy of nonexercise prediction equations over time is unknown.

Effects of Whole-Body Electromyostimulation Associated with Dynamic Exercise on Functional Capacity and Heart Rate Variability After Bariatric Surgery: a Randomized, Double-Blind, and Sham-Controlled Trial.

Purpose: Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for morbid obesity. In association with dietary restrictions, the ability to exercise in the immediate post-surgical phase is limited. In this context, whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS), strategy that stimulates various muscle groups, in conjunction with physical exercise, holds promise for improving functional capacity, and cardiac autonomic control, following surgery.

The effects of canagliflozin compared to sitagliptin on cardiorespiratory fitness in type 2 diabetes mellitus and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: The CANA-HF study.

Background: Canagliflozin reduces hospitalizations for heart failure (HF) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Its effect on cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiac function in patients with established HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is unknown.

Methods: We conducted a double-blind randomized controlled trial of canagliflozin 100 mg or sitagliptin 100 mg daily for 12 weeks in 88 patients, and measured peak oxygen consumption (VO ) and minute ventilation/carbon dioxide production (VE/VCO ) slope (co-primary endpoints for repeated measure ANOVA time_x_group interaction), lean peak VO , ventilatory anaerobic threshold (VAT), cardiac function and quality of life (ie, Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire [MLHFQ]), at baseline and 12-week follow-up.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction diagnosis and treatment: An updated review of the evidence.

Over the last several decades, clinicians and clinical scientists have had growing interest in heart failure (HF) diagnosis and treatment. While HF with reduced ejection fraction (EF) is a well-known clinical entity with several therapeutic strategies proven to be successful, HF with preserved ejection fraction is a more heterogenous syndrome with a prevalence that has increased in the last two decades, without effective therapeutic strategies. Great strides have been made in the detection of predisposing risk factors and pathological mechanisms; however, pharmacological therapies have shown to be ineffective in reducing cardiovascular mortality in the HF with preserved EF (HFpEF) population, opening the way to the necessity of developing new precision medicine based approaches.