Influence of Individualized Training on Cardiopulmonary Exercise Capacity in LVAD Patients

b.) Current European guidelines for prevention of cardiovascular disease recommend regular training for patients suffering from any cardiovascular disease. Studies have shown that regular training results in an improvement of cardiopulmonary exercise capacity. Objective parameters such as peak VO2 and VE/ VCO2 slope can be positively influenced by training in patients with heart failure. Only few studies suggest a beneficial impact on exercise capacity in patients with an implanted ventricular assist device (LVAD), but literature on this topic is scarce. So far there are no recommendations for a standardized exercise protocol for LVAD.

The aim of this prospective monocentric study is to examine the influence of an individualized, spiroergometry- guided training protocol on cardiopulmonary fitness in patients with an implanted LVAD. Secondary endpoints are to establish an individualized but standardized and clinically safe training protocol for patients with implanted LVAD.

The investigators goal is to include sixty patients with first implanted LVAD in this study over a term of 24 months. After providing written informed consent, randomization into a control group and into a training group will be conducted. All study participants will perform cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) initially before randomization and at the end of the study. The control group will receive the established recommended standard physiotherapeutic treatment, including respiratory supportive therapy, chest muscle mobilization, coordination and stability training as well as walking exercise units. The training group will additionally undergo five spiroergometry- guided training sessions on ergometer per week. Three training sessions will consist of interval training; the other two sessions will consist of endurance training. Interval training hereby consists of training unit of 30 seconds at VO2 peak (maximal oxygen uptake) followed by 60 seconds below the anaerobic threshold (VT1). Endurance training units will consist of training below VT1. Criteria to stop exercise include patient exertion (Borg scale > 14), reduction in LVAD pump flow, pump speed or pump power. Both groups will perform CPET and 6 minute walk test (6 MWT) at study initiation and at study end. The training group will perform CPET including blood gas analysis every two weeks in order to adjust their individual training protocol.

Inclusion criteria

• new implanted LVAD
• current treatment in Hospital
• hemodynamically stable patients without i.v. ionotropic Treatment
• at hand echocardiogram
• at hand spirometry
• spiroergometry including blood gas analysis.

Exclusion criteria

• serious psychologic/ psychiatric disorders
• breastfeeding/ pregnancy
• serious neurologic disorders
• serious comorbidities that would compromise patient compliance
• missing written informed consent
• persistent inotropic therapy
• acute or enduring infections.