High-Intensity Interval Training in Patients with Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction

Øyvind Ellingsen*, Martin Halle, Viviane Conraads, Asbjørn Støylen, Håvard Dalen, Charles Delagardelle, Alf Inge Larsen, Torstein Hole, Alessandro Mezzani, Emeline M. Van Craenenbroeck, Vibeke Videm, Paul Beckers, Jeffrey W. Christle, Ephraim Winzer, Norman Mangner, Felix Woitek, Robert Höllriegel, Axel Pressler, Tea Monk-Hansen, Martin SnoerPatrick Feiereisen, Torstein Valborgland, John Kjekshus, Rainer Hambrecht, Stephan Gielen, Trine Karlsen, Eva Prescott, Axel Linke

*Corresponding author for this work

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Abstract

Background: Small studies have suggested that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is superior to moderate continuous training (MCT) in reversing cardiac remodeling and increasing aerobic capacity in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. The present multicenter trial compared 12 weeks of supervised interventions of HIIT, MCT, or a recommendation of regular exercise (RRE). Methods: Two hundred sixty-one patients with left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35% and New York Heart Association class II to III were randomly assigned to HIIT at 90% to 95% of maximal heart rate, MCT at 60% to 70% of maximal heart rate, or RRE. Thereafter, patients were encouraged to continue exercising on their own. Clinical assessments were performed at baseline, after the intervention, and at follow-up after 52 weeks. Primary end point was a between-group comparison of change in left ventricular end-diastolic diameter from baseline to 12 weeks. Results: Groups did not differ in age (median, 60 years), sex (19% women), ischemic pathogenesis (59%), or medication. Change in left ventricular end-diastolic diameter from baseline to 12 weeks was not different between HIIT and MCT (P=0.45); left ventricular end-diastolic diameter changes compared with RRE were -2.8 mm (-5.2 to -0.4 mm; P=0.02) in HIIT and -1.2 mm (-3.6 to 1.2 mm; P=0.34) in MCT. There was also no difference between HIIT and MCT in peak oxygen uptake (P=0.70), but both were superior to RRE. However, none of these changes was maintained at follow-up after 52 weeks. Serious adverse events were not statistically different during supervised intervention or at follow-up at 52 weeks (HIIT, 39%; MCT, 25%; RRE, 34%; P=0.16). Training records showed that 51% of patients exercised below prescribed target during supervised HIIT and 80% above target in MCT. Conclusions: HIIT was not superior to MCT in changing left ventricular remodeling or aerobic capacity, and its feasibility remains unresolved in patients with heart failure.

Original languageEnglish
JournalCirculation
Volume135
Issue number9
Pages (from-to)839-849
Number of pages11
ISSN0009-7322
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2017

Keywords

  • exercise
  • heart failure

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