Interval exercise training increases maximal and submaximal exercise performance in heart failure with biventricular assist device therapy

Abstract

Heart transplantation is currently the preferred treatment for patients with end stage heart failure, with a median survival rate of 11 years for all patients and 14 years for patients who survive the early post-implantation period [1]. A limited number of donor organs andmorepeople livingwith serious heart failure have increasedtheimportance for alternative options. Ventricular assist devices are being successfully used as bridge-to-transplant or as destination therapy when heart transplantation cannot be considered, for example due to inoperability or non-compliance. Implantation of a VAD has shown to improve exercise capacity, quality of life and mortality in patients with severe heart failure, although exercise capacity after VAD therapy remainsbelow that reportedfor age-matchedcontrolsafter heart transplantation [2]. Exercise and improved peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) are related to improved quality of life and prognosis in patients with severe heart failure [3]. Therefore, improving VO2 peak is an important goal with multifaceted clinical relevance in patients on VAD therapy. The few studies investigating exercise in patients on VAD therapy