Consumptive coagulopathy is associated with increased mortality in patients with heart failure (HF). Physical activity influences the risk of major vascular thrombotic events. This study investigates how high-intensity interval training (HIIT) affects the capacity of endogenous thrombin generation (TG) by modulating circulatory procoagulant microparticles (MPs) in HF patients. Thirty-eight HF patients and 38 age- and gender-matched normal counterparts (NC) were recruited into this study. The HF group performed HIIT (3-min intervals at 40% and 80%VO2peak) on a bicycle ergometer for 30 min/day, 3 days/week for 12 weeks, whereas the NC group did not receive any form of intervention. Plasma TG kinetics, procoagulant MPs, coagulation-related factors, and oxidative stress/proinflammatory status were analyzed. The results demonstrated that the HF group exhibited (i) less endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) and TG rate, (ii) lower concentration/activity of tissue factor (TF) and counts of TF-rich MPs derived from blood cells, and (iiii) higher vascular endothelial shedding and plasma myeloperoxidase and interleukin-6 concentrations, compared to the NC group did. However, HIIT elevated plasma ETP and TG rate, as well as, TF concentration/activity and blood cell-derived procoagulant MP levels in the HF patients. Moreover, the exercise regimen also decreased vascular endothelial shedding and plasma myeloperoxidase and interleukin-6 concentrations in patients with HF. Hence, we conclude that HF reduces the capacity of endogenous TG in plasma, which is associated with decreased (or consumed) circulatory procoagulant MP levels. However, HIIT alleviates HF-declined endogenous TG capacity and vascular endothelial damage through recuperating TF-related coagulation activity and suppressing oxidative stress/proinflammatory status.

Inclusion Criteria:

• The HF was diagnosed if the patients had a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <40%.
• All HF patients were New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class II or III and had received optimal treatment for at least 12 months according to American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology guidelines.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with the presence of atrial fibrillation/flutter, second/third degree heart block, history of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias, recent unstable angina, myocardial infarction or coronary revascularization (<4 weeks), uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or symptomatic cerebral vascular disease within 12 months, collagen vascular disease, alcohol or drug abuse during the previous 12 months or significant renal or hepatic disease were excluded.