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Updated: Jun 18, 2026

A Pacing-Controlled Procedure for the Assessment of Heart Rate-Dependent Diastolic Functions in Murine Heart Failure Models
Published on: July 21, 2023
Effects of Exercise Mode and Intensity on Retinal Microvascular Structure and Function in Heart Failure Patients with
Lukas Streese1,2,3, Egbert Thomas Ritter1, Raphael Schoch1
1Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, Medical Faculty, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
Introduction:
We aimed to investigate the effect of different exercise modes on retinal microvascular endothelial function in patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).
Methods:
Twenty-eight patients were randomly allocated to either a moderate (MCT) or high-intensity interval training (HIIT) group for 12 weeks. Retinal microvascular structure and function were investigated by analyzing central retinal arteriolar (CRAE) and venular (CRVE) diameter equivalents, the arteriolar-to-venular diameter ratio (AVR), and the dynamic arteriolar (aFID) and venular (vFID) flicker light-induced dilation response.
Results:
Twenty patients (mean age 70 ± 9 years) were included in the final analysis. After HIIT, AVR increased (0.80 ± 0.03 vs. 0.83 ± 0.04, p = 0.03) due to arteriolar widening. CRAE increased (157 ± 18 µm vs. 164 ± 18 µm, p = 0.05), but CRVE did not change (196 ± 27 µm vs. 197 ± 24 µm, p = 0.56). After MCT, AVR also increased (0.80 ± 0.08 vs. 0.83 ± 0.06, p = 0.02) without significant changes in CRAE (160 ± 19 µm vs. 165 ± 18 µm, p = 0.07) or CRVE (201 ± 14 µm vs. 199 ± 14 µm, p = 0.40). aFID improved after MCT (2.1 ± 1.6% vs. 3.1 ± 1.8%, p = 0.03) but not after the HIIT intervention (2.1 ± 1.7% vs. 2.4 ± 2.1%, p = 0.60). vFID did not statistically significant change neither in the HIIT (4.4 ± 2.2% vs. 3.4 ± 1.9%, p = 0.06) nor in the MCT (4.3 ± 2.2% vs. 5.5 ± 4.1%, p = 0.26) group.
Conclusion:
MCT and HIIT are both adequate therapy options to improve microvascular health in patients with HFpEF.
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