Predictive value of NT-proBNP combined with exercise capacity variables in pulmonary artery disease: insights from a Spanish cohort

Letter to the editor.4.638 JCR (2015) Q1, 24/124 Cardiac and cardiovascular systemsUE

Effects of an 8-month exercise intervention on physical capacity, NT-proBNP, physical activity levels and quality of life data in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension by NYHA class

This article provides descriptive detailed (pre and post) values of physical capacity variables, NT-proBNP, physical activity levels and quality of life in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PH) (both, intervention and control group) by New York Heart Association (NYHA) class before and after an 8-month exercise intervention. The data are supplemental to our original Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) entitled “Benefits of skeletal-muscle exercise training in pulmonary arterial hypertension: The WHOLEi+12 trial” (L. González-Saiz, C. Fiuza-Luces, F. Sanchis-Gomar, A. Santos-Lozano, C.A. Quezada-Loaiza, A. Flox-Camacho, D. Munguía-Izquierdo, I. Ara, A. Santalla, M. Morán, P. Sanz-Ayan, P. Escribano-Subías, A. Lucia A, 2017) [1]

Physical activity levels are low in patients with pulmonary hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) leads to exercise capacity impairment, but limited data are available on the objective evaluation of physical activity (PA) levels in these patients. Methods We assessed PA levels using triaxial accelerometry in Spanish PH patients (n=75, 48±14 years, 65% female) and gender/age matched controls (n=107), and examined potential associations of meeting minimum international recommendations [moderate-vigorous PA (MVPA) ≥150 min/week] with survival predictors. Results With the exception of vigorous PA (with very low values in both groups), all accelerometry data showed significant differences between patients and controls, with lower PA levels and proportion of individuals meeting minimum PA guidelines, but higher inactivity time, in the former. Notably, the odds ratio (OR) of having a “low-risk” value of 6-minute walking distance (≥464 m) or ventilatory equivalent for carbon dioxide (≤39) was higher in patients following MVPA guidelines than in their less active peers [OR =4.3, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.6–11.6, P=0.005, and OR =4.5, 95% CI, 0.9–21.1, P=0.054]. Conclusions Daily PA is reduced in patients with PH, often to a level that may decrease their odds of survival. Efforts should be made to promote the implementation of healthy PA habits in this patient population.Sin financiación3.689 JCR (2018) Q2, 79/230 Oncology, 47/136 Medicine, Research & Experimental0.958 SJR (2018) Q1, 602/2844 Medicine (miscellaneous)No data IDR 2018UE

Effects of an 8-month exercise intervention on physical capacity, NT-proBNP, physical activity levels and quality of life data in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension by NYHA class

This article provides descriptive detailed (pre and post) values of physical capacity variables, NT-proBNP, physical activity levels and quality of life in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PH) (both, intervention and control group) by New York Heart Association (NYHA) class before and after an 8-month exercise intervention. The data are supplemental to our original Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) entitled “Benefits of skeletal-muscle exercise training in pulmonary arterial hypertension: The WHOLEi+12 trial” (L. González-Saiz, C. Fiuza-Luces, F. Sanchis-Gomar, A. Santos-Lozano, C.A. Quezada-Loaiza, A. Flox-Camacho, D. Munguía-Izquierdo, I. Ara, A. Santalla, M. Morán, P. Sanz-Ayan, P. Escribano-Subías, A. Lucia A, 2017) .Sin financiaciónNo data JCR 20170.341 SJR (2017) Q1, 28/115 Multidisciplinary; Q2, 515/1261 EducationNo data IDR 2017UE

Benefits of skeletal-muscle exercise training in pulmonary arterial hypertension: The WHOLEi + 12 trial

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is often associated with skeletal-muscle weakness. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to determine the effects of an 8-week intervention combining muscle resistance, aerobic and inspiratory pressure-load exercises on upper/lower-body muscle power and other functional variables in patients with this disease. Participants were allocated to a control (standard care) or intervention (exercise) group (n = 20 each, 45 ± 12 and 46 ± 11 years, 60% women and 10% patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension per group). The intervention included five, three and six supervised (inhospital) sessions/week of aerobic, resistance and inspiratory muscle training, respectively. The primary endpoint was peak muscle power during bench/leg press; secondary outcomes included N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels, 6-min walking distance, five-repetition sit-to-stand test, maximal inspiratory pressure, cardiopulmonary exercise testing variables (e.g., peak oxygen uptake), health-related quality of life, physical activity levels, and safety. Adherence to training sessions averaged 94 ± 0.5% (aerobic), 98 ± 0.3% (resistance) and 91 ± 1% (inspiratory training). Analysis of variance showed a significant interaction (group × time) effect for leg/bench press (P 0.1). We found a significant interaction effect (P < 0.001) for five-repetition sit-to-stand test, maximal inspiratory pressure and peak oxygen uptake (P < 0.001), indicating a training-induced improvement. No major adverse event was noted due to exercise. An 8-week exercise intervention including aerobic, resistance and specific inspiratory muscle training is safe for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension and yields significant improvements in muscle power and other functional variables.Sin financiación4.034 JCR (2017) Q2, 41/128 Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems1.200 SJR (2017) Q1, 78/369 Cardiology and Cardiovascular MedicineNo data IDR 2017UE

Rationale and design of a randomized controlled trial evaluating whole muscle exercise training effects in outpatients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (WHOLEi+12)

Physical exercise is an important component in the management of pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). The aim of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to determine the effects of an 8-week intervention combining muscle resistance, aerobic and inspiratory pressure load exercises in PAH outpatients. The RCT will be conducted from September 2015 to September 2016 following the recommendations of the Consolidated Standards of Reported Trials (CONSORT), with a total sample size of n ≥ 48 (≥24 participants/group). We will determine the effects of the intervention on: (i) skeletal-muscle power and mass (primary end points); and (ii) NT-proBNP, cardiopulmonary exercise testing variables (VO2peak, ventilatory equivalent for CO2 at the anaerobic threshold (VE/VCO2 at the AT), end-tidal pressure of CO2 at the anaerobic threshold (PETCO2 at the AT), 6-min walking distance (6MWD), maximal inspiratory pressure (PImax), health-related quality of life (HRQoL), objectively-assessed spontaneous levels of physical activity, and safety (secondary end points). This trial will provide insight into biological mechanisms of the disease and indicate the potential benefits of exercise in PAH outpatients, particularly on muscle power.Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias (PS12/00194)3.189 (2015) Q2, 68/253 Pharmacology & pharmacy, 42/124 Cardiac & cardiovascular systemsUE