This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by LeJemtel, T. H. Articles by Wellington, K. L. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by LeJemtel, T. H. Articles by Wellington, K. L.

Circulation, Vol 90, 2757-2760, Copyright © 1994 by American Heart Association

ARTICLES

Reduced peak aerobic capacity in asymptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction. A substudy of the studies of left ventricular dysfunction (SOLVD). SOLVD Investigator. Studies of Left Ventricular Dysfunction

TH LeJemtel, CS Liang, DK Stewart, PC Kirlin, KM McIntyre, TH Robertson, A Moore, L Cahill, M Galvao and KL Wellington
Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461.

BACKGROUND: Peak oxygen consumption is reduced in patients with symptomatic congestive heart failure, but functional capacity of patients with asymptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction has not been assessed by measurement of peak oxygen consumption attained during graded exercise testing. METHODS AND RESULTS: Peak oxygen consumption, that is, aerobic capacity (VO2, mL/kg per minute), was determined during graded treadmill exercise using the modified Naughton protocol in 40 patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (mean ejection fraction ranging from 14% to 35%; mean, 29%) who, while not receiving any cardiac medications, were totally asymptomatic, and in 41 age-matched normal subjects. Peak exercise duration and VO2 were significantly lower in patients with asymptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction than in normal subjects (948 +/- 273 versus 1239 +/- 372 seconds, P < .001, and 22.1 +/- 5.9 versus 29.8 +/- 7.7 mL/kg per minute, respectively, P < .001), while asymptomatic patients and normal subjects reached similar respiratory equivalents (1.14 +/- 0.11 versus 1.11 +/- 0.11 [NS]) and level of perceived exertion, using the modified Borg scale (7.4 +/- 2.6 versus 8.1 +/- 1.5 [NS]). Heart rate, systemic blood pressure, and oxygen pulse response to peak exercise were significantly lower in asymptomatic patients than in normal subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Although patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction can be totally asymptomatic in their daily activities, they have experienced a substantial reduction in peak aerobic capacity when compared with normal subjects of similar age.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. Rovner, N. L. Greenberg, J. D. Thomas, and M. J. Garcia Relationship of diastolic intraventricular pressure gradients and aerobic capacity in patients with diastolic heart failure Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, November 1, 2005; 289(5): H2081 - H2088. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Dickstein What should be the focus in the management of patients with heart failure? The importance of peripheral vision Eur. Heart J., March 1, 2001; 22(5): 355 - 356. [PDF]

				D Harrington, S.D Anker, and A.J.S Coats Preservation of exercise capacity and lack of peripheral changes in asymptomatic patients with severely impaired left ventricular function Eur. Heart J., March 1, 2001; 22(5): 392 - 399. [Abstract] [PDF]

				A. Mezzani, U. Corra, C. Baroffio, E. Bosimini, and P. Giannuzzi Habitual Activities and Peak Aerobic Capacity in Patients With Asymptomatic and Symptomatic Left Ventricular Dysfunction Chest, May 1, 2000; 117(5): 1291 - 1299. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]