Skeletal muscle alterations in patients with chronic heart failure

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Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Ex Vivo Assessment of Contractility, Fatigability and Alternans in Isolated Skeletal Muscles
14:02

Ex Vivo Assessment of Contractility, Fatigability and Alternans in Isolated Skeletal Muscles

Published on: November 1, 2012

M Schaufelberger1, B O Eriksson, G Grimby

  • 1Department of Medicine, Ostra University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden.

European Heart Journal
|June 1, 1997
PubMed

Insights

Patients with chronic heart failure exhibit skeletal muscle abnormalities, including altered fiber types and reduced oxidative enzymes. These changes are linked to exercise capacity and may be influenced by central hemodynamics and medical treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Exercise Physiology
  • Skeletal Muscle Biology

Background:

  • Chronic heart failure (CHF) is associated with significant peripheral muscle dysfunction.
  • Skeletal muscle abnormalities in CHF can contribute to reduced exercise capacity and poor quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate skeletal muscle characteristics in patients with CHF compared to healthy controls.
  • To correlate skeletal muscle variables with functional class, exercise capacity, central hemodynamics, muscle strength, and medical treatments.

Main Methods:

  • Skeletal muscle biopsies from the vastus lateralis were analyzed in 43 CHF patients and 20 controls.
  • Right-sided heart catheterization and maximal exercise testing were performed in subsets of patients.
  • Muscle strength was assessed in nine patients.

Main Results:

  • CHF patients displayed higher lactate and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, and lower oxidative enzyme activity than controls.
  • A decrease in type I fibers and capillarization, with an increase in type IIB fibers, was observed in CHF patients.
  • LDH activity correlated with exercise capacity, muscle strength, and right atrial pressure; digoxin use was associated with lower oxidative enzyme activity.

Conclusions:

  • Patients with chronic heart failure present with distinct skeletal muscle abnormalities.
  • Central hemodynamics and pharmacological treatments, alongside physical inactivity, are likely contributors to these muscle alterations.
Abstract

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