Optimizing Exercise Training in Prevention and Treatment of Diastolic Heart Failure

Optimizing Exercise Training in Prevention and Treatment of Diastolic Heart Failure- Clinical Study

Aim of the clinical multicenter study (OptimEx-CLIN) is to assess the optimal exercise intervention in patients with Heart Failure with preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF; also termed diastolic heart failure) that will best improve peak oxygen uptake (Peak Vo2) and additionally diastolic function (assessed echocardiographically). The investigators hypothesize that exercise training reverses HFpEF and that intensity of exercise training is more important than duration.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Sedentary (structured exercise < 2x 30 min/wk)
• At least 40 years old
• Preserved systolic function LVEF > 50%
• Signs and symptoms of heart failure class NYHA II or III
• Diastolic dysfunction (E/é > 15 or E/é 8-15 and NT-proBNP > 220 pg/ml)
• Clinically stable for >= 6 weeks
• Optimal medical treatment for >= 6 weeks
• Written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Non- HFpEF causes for HF symptoms (significant valvular or coronary disease, uncontrolled hypertension or arrhythmias, primary cardiomyopathies)
• Significant pulmonary disease (FEV1 < 50% predicted, COPD GOLD III-IV)
• Inability to exercise or conditions that may interfere with exercise intervention
• Myocardial infarction in the previous three months
• Signs of ischemia during exercise testing
• Comorbidity that may influence one- year prognosis
• Participation in another clinical trial