Thirty-two stable patients with chronic heart failure (age: 56 ± 10 years, EF: 32 ± 8%, 88 % men) participated in an exercise rehabilitation program. They randomly assigned to aerobic exercise (AER) or combined aerobic and strength training (COM), based on age and peak oxygen uptake, as stratified randomization criteria. Before and after the program, they underwent a symptom-limited maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and serial echocardiography assessment to evaluate peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), peak workload (Wpeak), DD grade, right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) and EF.
Thirty-two stable patients with chronic heart failure participated in an exercise rehabilitation program. They randomly assigned to aerobic exercise (AER) or combined aerobic and strength training (COM). Before and after the program, they underwent a symptom-limited maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing and serial echocardiography evaluation examining the indices of diastolic dysfunction (DD).