Influence of Respiratory and Exercise Therapy on Oxygen Uptake, Quality of Life and Right Ventricular Function in Severe Pulmonary Hypertension

Study of Influence of Respiratory and Exercise Therapy on Oxygen Uptake, Quality of Life and Right Ventricular Function in Severe Pulmonary Hypertension

Aim of this study is to investigate whether and to what extent a cautious respiratory and exercise therapy can complement medical treatment and change the condition, oxygen uptake, quality of life, the pulmonary vascular pressures, the size of the right heart and the 6-minute walk distance in patients with pulmonary hypertension.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Consent form
• men and women> 18 years <75 years
• invasively confirmed chronic PH who have received complete diagnostic evaluation by specialized doctors / physicians according to the WHO classification at a center for pulmonary hypertension and were adjusted for 2 months under intensive medical therapy and are stable.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnancy or lactation
• Change in medication during the last 2 months
• Patients with signs of right heart decompensation
• severe walking disturbance
• uncertain diagnoses
• No previous invasively confirmation of PH
• acute diseases, infections, fever
• Serious lung disease with FEV1 <50% or TLC <70% of target
• Further exclusion criteria are the following diseases: active myocarditis, unstable angina pectoris, exercise-induced ventricular arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, significant heart disease, pacemakers, and hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, or a highly reduced left ventricular function