Sildenafil Improves Exercise Capacity and Quality of Life in Patients with Systolic Heart Failure and Secondary Pulmonary Hypertension

Abstract

Background: Patients with systolic heart failure (HF) who develop secondary pulmonary hypertension (PH) have reduced exercise capacity and increased mortality compared to HF patients without PH. We tested the hypothesis that sildenafil, an effective therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension, would lower pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and improve exercise capacity in patients with HF complicated by PH. Methods: Thirty-four patients with NYHA class II-IV HF and PH underwent randomization to 12-weeks of treatment with sildenafil (25-75 mg orally three times daily) or placebo.