Functional electrical stimulation of peripheral muscles improves endothelial function and clinical and emotional status in heart failure patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction.

Background: Functional electrical stimulation (FES) improves exercise capacity, quality of life, emotional stress, and endothelial function in chronic heart failure with impaired systolic function. We sought to investigate the effects of FES on the above parameters in patients with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

Methods: Thirty HFpEF patients, 18 female and 12 male, aged 69 ± 8 years, in New York Heart Association class II or III and with mean ejection fraction 63% ± 6%, were randomly (1:1) assigned to a 6-week FES program or placebo.

Functional electrical stimulation is more effective in severe symptomatic heart failure patients and improves their adherence to rehabilitation programs.

Background: Functional electrical stimulation (FES) improves exercise capacity and quality of life in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients. However, there is no evidence regarding the effectiveness of this treatment modality according to the severity of CHF. This study compares the effectiveness of FES on exercise capacity, endothelial function, neurohormonal status, and emotional stress in New York Heart Association (NYHA) III-IV versus NYHA II patients.

Outcome of patients with congestive heart failure treated with standard versus high doses of enalapril: a multicenter study. High Enalapril Dose Study Group.

Objectives: We sought to prospectively and randomly compare survival with clinical and hemodynamic variables in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) treated with standard versus high doses of enalapril.

Background: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors produce hemodynamic and symptomatic benefits in patients with CHF, but there is still controversy about the optimal dose in this clinical setting.

Methods: Two hundred and forty-eight patients with advanced CHF (age 56.