Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program impact on prognostic markers in selected patients with resting and exercise-induced ventilatory inefficiency: a clinical trial

[Purpose] Ventilatory limitation is a common problem in patients with chronic heart failure and pulmonary hypertension. Excess ventilation may arise from augmented ventilatory drive, over activity of chemoreceptors and muscle ergoreceptors, or premature onset of lactic acidosis. Exertional dyspnea can cause limitations in the activities of daily living and as a result, reduced quality of life for these patients. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program on ventilatory efficiency for these patients. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty five patients with chronic heart failure and twenty five patients with pulmonary hypertension and only forty of them completed the study. The training program consisted of interval aerobic training program, based on the results of cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Training period was about five months. Outcomes were ventilatory equivalent for CO2, (VE/VCO2 at anaerobic threshold), VO2 at anaerobic threshold, VO2 max and peak work load. Echocardiography parameters were also measured; right ventricular systolic pressure for patients with pulmonary hypertension and ejection fraction for patients with chronic heart failure. [Results] Both groups showed an improvement in ventilation during exercise in favor of patients with pulmonary hypertension. VE/VCO2 decreased by 6.65 in pulmonary hypertension and by 2.9 in chronic heart failure. Right ventricular systolic pressure decreased by 12.05 mmHg in pulmonary hypertension and ejection fraction increased by 17.74% in chronic heart failure. [Conclusion] Physical therapy cardiopulmonary rehabilitation should be considered in managing patients with ventilatory limitation such as pulmonary hypertension and chronic heart failure.