Reduced peak aerobic capacity in asymptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction: A substudy of the studies of left ventricular dysfunction (SOLVD)

Abstract

Background: Peak oxygen consumption is reduced in patients with symptomatic congestive heart failure, but functional capacity of patients with asymptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction has not been assessed by measurement of peak oxygen consumption attained during graded exercise testing. Methods and Results: Peak oxygen consumption, that is, aerobic capacity (V̇O2, mL/kg per minute), was determined during graded treadmill exercise using the modified Naughton protocol in 40 patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (mean ejection fraction ranging from 14% to 35%; mean, 29%) who, while not receiving any cardiac meditations, were totally asymptomatic, and in 42 age-matched normal subjects. Peak exercise duration and V̇O2 were significantly lower in patients with asymptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction than in normal subjects (948±273 versus 1239±372 seconds, P