Heart Rate Reduction in Heart Failure

Distance measured at 6 minute walking test. The 6 minute walking test was performed according to standardised procedure at baseline, before inclusion (at least 1 week after baseline evaluation), and at the end of the study. Patients who had not done at least two tests in the past underwent two practice 6 minute walking tests at least 3 days apart. Results are expressed in terms of distance walked (metres). The test was supervised by a physical therapist.

Patients were asked to walk at their own maximal pace a 100 m long hospital corridor. At the beginning of the last (6th) minute of the test a standard phrase of encouragement was told. Patients were allowed to stop if signs or symptoms of significant distress occurred (dyspnea, angina), through they were instructed to resume walking as soon as possible.

Functional capacity was assessed by means of a cardiopulmonary exercise test with a bicycle ergometer with gas exchange monitoring (Vmax 29 C, SensorMedics). Peak oxygen consumption was defined as the maximal oxygen consumption (MVO2) observed during exercise.

Quality of life (QoL) was evaluated using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) which is a global measurement of QoL, allowing a subjective assessment of the impact of the disease and treatment. Patients are asked to indicate their current state in a line from 0 (worst state) to 10 (best state), with higher values therefore representing a better outcome.

The 1994 NYHA Classification system is a measure of functional status. It was designed for clinical assessment of patients by physicians as NYHA class I, II, III, or IV, on the basis of patient's limitations in physical activities caused by cardiac symptoms.

Class I describes patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) but without resulting limitation of physical activity. There is no objective evidence of CVD.

Class II describes patients with CVD resulting in slight limitation of physical activity. There is objective evidence of minimal CVD.

Class III describes patients with CVD resulting in marked limitation of physical activity. There is objective evidence of moderately severe CVD.

Class IV describes patients with CVD resulting in inability to carry on any physical activity without discomfort. There is objective evidence of severe CVD.

Here we report data on number of patients showing an improvement by at least one NYHA class according to treatment allocation.