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Augmented exercise plasma noradrenaline with impaired chronotropic responsiveness in patients with hypertrophic

H Omodani1, T Kinugawa, K Ogino

  • 11st Department of Internal Medicine, Tottori University School of Medicine, Yonago, Japan.

Insights

Patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) show higher plasma noradrenaline levels during exercise and impaired chronotropic sympathetic responsiveness. This study investigated cardiovascular and catecholamine responses to exercise in HCM patients.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Exercise Science
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Controversy exists regarding plasma catecholamine levels in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).
  • Limited data are available on serial plasma catecholamine measurements during exercise in HCM.
  • Understanding exercise responses in HCM is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if cardiovascular and plasma catecholamine responses to exercise are altered in patients with non-obstructive HCM.
  • To assess chronotropic sympathetic responsiveness during exercise in HCM.

Main Methods:

  • 15 patients with non-obstructive HCM and 15 age/sex-matched controls underwent submaximal treadmill exercise.
  • Plasma noradrenaline (NA) and adrenaline levels were measured at rest, during exercise stages, and post-exercise.
  • Chronotropic sympathetic responsiveness was indexed by the ratio of increment in heart rate to increment in plasma NA (delta HR/delta NA).

Main Results:

  • HCM patients exhibited higher plasma NA levels at early stages of exercise compared to controls.
  • Diastolic blood pressure was significantly higher in HCM patients during early exercise stages.
  • The delta HR/delta NA ratio was significantly lower in HCM patients, indicating impaired chronotropic sympathetic responsiveness.

Conclusions:

  • Patients with HCM demonstrate augmented plasma noradrenaline levels and altered blood pressure responses during submaximal exercise.
  • Chronotropic sympathetic responsiveness to exercise is impaired in the early stages of exercise in HCM patients.
  • These findings highlight potential autonomic dysfunction during exercise in HCM.

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