Effects of an Exercise Program in Women Over 60 yr. With HFpEF and Sarcopenia on Functional Capacity and Quality of Life

Effects of a Concurrent Training-based Exercise Program in Women Over 60 Years With Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction and Sarcopenia on Functional Capacity, Quality of Life and Cognitive Function

This prospective study will randomize (1:1) women with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and sarcopenia to receive standard management alone or a combined 12-week supervised exercise program (combining aerobic and strength exercise) carried out in a single centre.

After randomization, patients will be clinically evaluated. The primary endpoint (peakVO2) will be assessed by cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) at 12 weeks. Women over 60 with HFpEF, functional class NYHA class II-III, and sarcopenia criteria will be enrolled. A sample size estimation [alfa: 0.05, power: 80%, a 20% loss rate, and at least a delta change of mean peakVO2: +1.9 mL/kg/min (SD±2)] of 40 patients (20 per arm) would be necessary to test our hypothesis.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a highly prevalent clinical entity that predominantly affects women, whose incidence has increased in the last decade and has a complex and multifactorial pathophysiology. Sarcopenia, a prevalent concurrent condition, appears to be associated with reduced muscle strength and reduced maximal functional capacity.

Supervised training programs in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and sarcopenia have improved functional capacity. However, the researchers do not have evidence about the effects of a supervised training program on patients with HFpEF and sarcopenia, mainly when affecting women older than 60. This work aims to evaluate the effect of a 12-week supervised exercise program in patients with HFpEF and sarcopenia on maximal functional capacity evaluated by peak oxygen consumption (peakVO2).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients diagnosed with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction according to 2021 ESC guidelines for Heart Failure, with N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) >125 pg/mL, inthe last month.
• Stable symptomatic heart failure patients (New York Heart Association functional class II-III) during the last month.
• Age ≥ 60 years old.
• The participant is willing to give informed consent to participate in the study.
• SARC-F score ≥4 points.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Inability to perform a valid baseline cardiopulmonary exercise test.
• Cardiac pacemaker.
• Significant primary moderate-to-severe valve disease.
• Effort angina or signs of ischemia during CPET.
• Primary cardiomyopathies.
• Cardiac transplantation.
• Any other comorbidity with a life expectancy of less than one year.