Impact of left ventricular filling properties on the benefit of exercise training in patients with advanced chronic heart failure secondary to ischemic or nonischemic cardiomyopathy.

This study examined left ventricular (LV) filling properties and exercise hemodynamics noninvasively before and after an exercise training program in patients with chronic heart failure (HF). Although exercise training did not improve LV filling properties in patients with advanced HF, LV filling properties determined the hemodynamic benefit attainable from exercise in this patient group.