Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 2, 2025

Home-Based Prescribed Pulmonary Exercise in Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Home-Based Prescribed Pulmonary Exercise in Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Published on: August 24, 2019

Safety and effectiveness of standardized exercise training in patients with pulmonary hypertension associated with

Eglė Palevičiūtė¹, Jelena Čelutkienė², Toma Šimbelytė²

¹Clinic of Cardiac and Vascular Diseases, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Santariskiu-2, 08661, Vilnius, Lithuania. egle.paleviciute@santa.lt.

|April 19, 2023

Abstract

Background:

Left heart failure (HF) is characterized by an elevation in left-sided filling pressures, causing symptoms of dyspnea, impairing exercise capacity, and leading to pulmonary venous congestion and secondary pulmonary hypertension (PH). There is an increased incidence of PH associated with left heart disease, particularly with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF-PH). Treatment possibilities in HFpEF-PH are non-specific and very limited, thus additional pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapeutic strategies are needed. Various types of exercise-based rehabilitation programs have been shown to improve exercise capacity and quality of life (QoL) of HF and PH patients. However, no study focused on exercise training in the population of HFpEF-PH. This study is designed to investigate whether a standardized low-intensity exercise and respiratory training program is safe and may improve exercise capacity, QoL, hemodynamics, diastolic function, and biomarkers in patients with HFpEF-PH.

Methods:

A total of 90 stable patients with HFpEF-PH (World Health Organization functional class II-IV) will be randomized (1:1) to receive a 15-week specialized low-intensity rehabilitation program, including exercise and respiratory therapy and mental gait training, with an in-hospital start, or standard care alone. The primary endpoint of the study is a change in 6-min walk test distance; secondary endpoints are changes in peak exercise oxygen uptake, QoL, echocardiographic parameters, prognostic biomarkers, and safety parameters.

Discussion:

To date, no study has investigated the safety and efficacy of exercising specifically in the HFpEF-PH population. We believe that a randomized controlled multicenter trial, which protocol we are sharing in this article, will add important knowledge about the potential utility of a specialized low-intensity exercise and respiratory training program for HFpEF-PH and will be valuable in finding optimal treatment strategies for these patients.

Trial Registration:

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05464238. July 19, 2022.

Keywords:

Exercise training Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction Pulmonary hypertension Randomized controlled trial Study protocol

More Related Videos

A Novel Digital Platform for a Monitored Home-based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program

A Novel Digital Platform for a Monitored Home-based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program

Published on: April 19, 2019

Author Spotlight: Investigating HR-Dependent Cardiac Function in Mouse Models Through a Novel Atrial-Pacing Approach

Author Spotlight: Investigating HR-Dependent Cardiac Function in Mouse Models Through a Novel Atrial-Pacing Approach

Published on: July 21, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Heart Failure V: Medical Management

Heart Failure V: Medical Management

Medical Management of Acute Decompensated Heart Failure (ADHF)The primary goals of therapy for patients hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) include:Relieving symptomsOptimizing volume statusSupporting oxygenation and ventilationMaintaining cardiac output (CO) and end-organ perfusionIdentifying and addressing the cause of ADHFPreventing complicationsProviding patient education on factors precipitating HF exacerbationPlanning for dischargeOngoing monitoring and assessment...

Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies

Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies

Additional therapies for treating patients with heart failure (HF) may include procedural interventions, supplemental oxygen, the management of sleep disorders, and nutritional therapy.Procedural InterventionsImplantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator: For patients at risk of life-threatening arrhythmias due to severe left ventricular dysfunction, an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) can detect and terminate these arrhythmias, preventing sudden cardiac death and improving survival rates.

Heart Failure VII: Nursing Interventions

Heart Failure VII: Nursing Interventions

The first step in nursing management of a patient with heart failure involves thoroughly assessing the patient's medical history.Subjective Data: Obtain the patient's medical history of coronary artery disease, hypertension, myocardial infarction, and symptoms like dyspnea, orthopnea, and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea.Objective Data: Conduct a physical examination to identify findings such as jugular vein distention, pulmonary crackles, tachycardia, murmurs, peripheral edema, and vital signs,...

Pathophysiology of Heart Failure

Pathophysiology of Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) is a progressive syndrome involving ventricles that leads to inadequate cardiac output. It can be classified based on location and output or ejection fraction. Ejection fraction (EF) is an essential measurement in the diagnosis and surveillance of HF. Reduced EF corresponds to systolic heart failure (HFrEF). However, HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is becoming increasingly prevalent. Also known as diastolic HF, this form of HF is related to aging. The...

Exercise and Cardiovascular Response

Exercise and Cardiovascular Response

Exercise significantly impacts cardiovascular response, which is crucial for understanding patient health and designing effective treatment plans.
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...

Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Oxygen Therapy for Respiratory Failure

Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Oxygen Therapy for Respiratory Failure

Oxygen therapy has emerged as a significant tool in enhancing the quality of life for patients suffering from pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). While this therapy has principally been studied on patients with significant hypoxemia, this therapeutic approach helps prevent potential organ damage and can be administered in the comfort of one's home.
Oxygen therapy is vital in increasing and maintaining blood oxygen levels in PAH patients. As a result, it aids in reducing fatigue,...

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Impaired BMPR2 signalling across pulmonary hypertension subgroups: a multicentre study.

ERJ open research·2026

Randomised, controlled trial on fluid restriction in pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Respiration; international review of thoracic diseases·2026

Pulmonary Function and Exercise-Based Assessments for the Detection of Pulmonary Hypertension in Fibrotic Interstitial Lung Disease.

Pulmonary circulation·2026

Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors in Patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension and Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction as Cardiovascular Comorbidity.

Respiration; international review of thoracic diseases·2026

Association Between Recent Mechanical Risk Factors for Venous Thrombosis and Young-Onset Cryptogenic Ischemic Stroke.

Stroke·2026

Predictive Power of Pulmonary Artery Stiffness-Right Ventricular Interplay, But Not Pulmonary Vascular Resistance, in Mild Pulmonary Hypertension: A PVRI GoDeep Meta-Registry Analysis.

Chest·2026

See all related articles