High-intensity interval training in patients with left ventricular assist devices: A pilot randomized controlled trial

Ignacio Moreno-Suarez, Anna Scheer, Kaitlyn Lam, Lawrence Dembo, Angela L. Spence, Christopher Hayward, David M. Kaye, Angela Leet, Louise M. Fuller, Angela Jacques, Louise H. Naylor, Daniel J. Green, Andrew Maiorana

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14 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is an established treatment for patients with advanced heart failure. To date, studies evaluating the impact of aerobic training in patients with LVADs have focused on moderate-intensity exercise.

METHODS: This pilot randomized controlled trial compared the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with those of moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on peak oxygen consumption ((V)over dotO(2) peak) in patients with LVADs. Secondary outcomes included 6-minute walk test distance, flow-mediated dilation, and anthropometry. Assessments were conducted at baseline and after 12 weeks of supervised training performed 3 times weekly. Participants were randomized to HIIT (4 sets of 4 minutes at 80%-90% (V)over dotO(2) reserve, alternating with 3 minutes at 50%-60% V.O2 reserve) or MICT groups (28 minutes continuously at 50%-60% (V)over dotO(2) reserve). Within and between-group differences were analyzed using linear mixed models. Data are expressed as marginal means with 95% confidence intervals or as mean +/- SD.

RESULTS: A total of 21 participants were randomized (HIIT: age 57.7 +/- 13.1 years; n = 11 and MICT: age 55.6 +/- 14.2 years; n = 10) (mean +/- SD). No major adverse events occurred in response to training in either group. HIIT significantly improved (V)over dotO(2) peak (15.6 [13.2-17.8] to 18.4 [16.0-20.8] ml/kg/ min) (marginal mean [95% CI]) compared with MICT (16.2 [13.8-18.7] to 17.2 [14.6-19.7] ml/kg/ min; p

CONCLUSION: In patients with LVADs, HIIT was well tolerated and increased aerobic capacity more than MICT. These preliminary findings support the prescription of high-intensity exercise in clinically stable patients with LVADs but warrant validation in a larger sample and across a broader range of physiologic and clinical outcomes. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.anzctr.org.au, unique identifier: ACTRN12616001596493. (C) 2020 International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation. All rights reserved.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1380-1388
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Heart and Lung Transplantation
Volume39
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2020

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