Physical Activity Is Higher in Patients with Left Ventricular Assist Device Compared with Chronic Heart Failure

Purpose Left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) are associated with an increased aerobic capacity in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). However, studies evaluating the impact of LVAD implantation on physical activity (PA) are lacking. The aim of this study was to compare daily PA levels in participants with LVAD with well-matched CHF participants. Methods Sixteen participants with an LVAD (age, 59.1 ± 10.8 yr) were case-matched to 16 participants with advanced CHF (age, 58.3 ± 8.7 yr), who were listed or being considered for cardiac transplantation. Participants underwent a cardiopulmonary exercise test to determine peak oxygen consumption (V˙O2 peak). Physical activity was monitored continuously for seven consecutive days with an Actiheart monitor. Results V˙O2 peak in the CHF group (12.3 ± 3.5 mL·kg−1·min−1) was not significantly different to the LVAD group before LVAD implantation (10.4 ± 2.1 mL·kg−1·min−1), but was lower than in the LVAD group after implantation (15.8 ± 4.3 mL·kg−1·min−1; P
Source: Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise - Category: Sports Medicine Tags: CLINICAL SCIENCES Source Type: research