Clinical Outcomes and Cardiovascular Responses to Exercise Training in Heart Failure Patients with Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background: Exercise training induces physical adaptations for heart failure patients with systolic dysfunction but less is known about those patients with preserved ejection fraction. Objectives: To establish if exercise training produces changes in peak VO₂ and related measures, quality of life, general health and diastolic function in heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Methods: We conducted a MEDLINE search (1985 to March 2014), for exercise based rehabilitation trials in heart failure, using search terms 'exercise training, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, heart failure with normal ejection fraction, peak VO₂ and diastolic heart dysfunction'. Seven intervention studies were included providing a total of 144 exercising subjects and 114 control subjects, a total of 258 participants. ... Conclusions: Exercise training appears to effect several health-related improvements in people with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction.