Effect of exercise training in patients with heart failure and permanent atrial fibrillation

• Grant number: 13/17031-6
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: February 01, 2014 - April 30, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Physiology of Effort
• Principal researcher: Guilherme Veiga Guimarães
• Grantee: Guilherme Veiga Guimarães
• Home Institution: Instituto do Coração Professor Euryclides de Jesus Zerbini (INCOR). Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da USP (HCFMUSP). Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The positive effect of exercise training in patients with heart failure (HF) has been increasingly established. However, the presence of atrial fibrillation (AF), especially in its permanent form, makes the clinical profiles of these patients more committed. Thus, the literature has not demonstrated studies involving therapeutic indication with exercise when AF is associated with IC. Objective: To evaluate the effect of exercise training on functional capacity, cerebral oxygenation, autonomic aspects, aspects vascular, cardiac function, plasma markers, quality of life and cognitive function in patients with HF and AF. Methodology: We will study 22 subjects of both genders, aged 30-65 years, with HF (NYHA II-III) and permanent AF with left ventricular ejection fraction d40%. Patients will be randomized into two groups: group 1 (n = 11) heart failure in atrial fibrillation - physical training (ICFAt) and group 2 (n = 11) heart failure in atrial fibrillation - Sedentary (ICFAs). A group of healthy subjects (group 3) will be used for control. All patients will be measured oxygenation and cerebral blood flow, muscle sympathetic nerve activity, blood flow, muscle, endothelial function, pulse wave velocity, heart rate and resting blood pressure, cardiorespiratory variables, cardiac structure and function, levels of ANP and BNP, plasma inflammatory markers, angiotensin, quality of life and cognitive function. The first group will hold the protocol supervised exercise training lasting 12 weeks. While group 2 and 3 shall be instructed not to participate in any regular program of physical conditioning. All survey participants will be reassessed after 12 weeks. (AU)