STATIN THERAPY DECREASES VO2PEAK WITHOUT AFFECTING EXERCISE ENDURANCE, ENDOTHELIAL FUNCTION OR ARTERIAL STIFFNESS AMONG SUBJECTS WITH PRIMARY UNTREATED HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA

Abstract

(CO) and cerebral oxygenation/perfusion (COP) in heart transplant recipients (HTR) and age-matched controls (AMC) during maximal exercise (ME), 2) to study the relationships between VO2 peak, CO, COP inHTR and AMC. 27 AMC and 26HTR were recruited. VO2 peak and cardiac hemodynamic (impedance cardiography) were measured during a ME. COP (O2Hb, tHb) was measured using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). RESULTS: Compared to AMC, HTR had a lower VO2 peak (ml/min/kg of lean body mass), maximal (max) cardiac index (CImax), max ventilation, max tidal volume and max respiratory frequency vs. AMC (P<0,0001). End-systolic volume index and systemic vascular resistance index were higher inHTR (P<0,05). At 50% and 75% of peak, O2Hb was lower in HTR (P<0,05). At 100% of peak, tHbwas lower inHTR (P<0,05). At recovery, O2Hb and tHb were lower in HTR (P<0,05). VO2 peak (ml/ min/kg) and CImax were correlated to DO2Hb (R1⁄40,33 and 0,36, P<0,05) and DtHb (R1⁄40,35 and 0,44, P<0,01). CONCLUSION: VO2 peak is reduced in HTR because of central, ventilator, peripheral factors and medication. Lower VO2 peak and CImax in HTR does not seem to really affect COP during exercise. During exercise, our results suggest a lower O2 saturation in HTR. In HTR, the lower tHb at ME could be due to a better physical capacity in AMC. In HTR, differences in COP during recovery could be explained by the absence of cardiac overshoot phenomenon, medication and/or endothelial dysfunction.