A method for determining exercise oscillatory ventilation in heart failure: Prognostic value and practical implications. (15th December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vainshelboim, Baruch; Amin, Aisha; Christle, Jeffrey W.; Hebbal, Shreyas; Ashley, Euan A.; Myers, Jonathan
• Is Part Of: International journal of cardiology. Volume 249(2017)
• Page Start: 287
• Page End: 291
• Publication Date: 2017-12-15
• Subjects: Cardiopulmonary exercise testing -- Exercise -- Ventilatory inefficiency; Cardiology -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.12
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2017.09.028
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0167-5273

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Exercise oscillatory ventilation (EOV) has been shown to be a powerful prognostic marker in chronic heart failure (CHF). However, EOV is poorly defined, its measurement lacks standardization and it is underutilized in clinical practice. The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the prognostic value of a modified definition of EOV in patients with CHF. Methods: Eighty-nine CHF patients (56.5 ± 8.4 years) (64% NYHA class III-IV) underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing. EOV was defined as meeting all the following criteria: (1) ≥ 3 consecutive cyclic fluctuations of ventilation during exercise; (2) average amplitude over 3 ventilatory oscillations ≥ 5 L; and (3) an average length of three oscillatory cycles 40s to 140 s. Adverse cardiac events were tracked during 28 ± 19 months follow up. Cox proportional hazard analysis was used to determine the association between cardiac events and EOV. Results: Forty-eight patients (54%) met all three criteria and were determined to have EOV. These patients exhibited significantly increased risk for adverse cardiac events [hazard ratio = 2.2, 95% CI (1.2 to 4.1), p = 0.011] compared to patients without EOV. After adjusting for age and established prognostic covariates (peak VO2 and VE /VCO2 slope), the modified EOV definition was the only significant variable in the multivariate model [hazard ratio = 2.0, 95% CI (1.1 to 3.7), p = 0.035]. Conclusions: The proposed method for determining EOV was independently associated with increased risk for adverse cardiac events in CHF patients. While larger prospective studies are needed, this definition provides a relatively simple and more objective characterization of EOV, suggesting its potential application in clinical practice.