Publication
Title
Red cell distribution width as a marker of impaired exercise tolerance in patients with chronic heart failure
Author
Abstract
Aims Exercise intolerance predicts mortality in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Recently, increased red cell distribution width (RDW) has emerged as an additional powerful predictor of poor outcome. We investigated the relationship between RDW and exercise capacity in patients with CHF. In addition, the association between training-induced improved maximal aerobic capacity (VO2peak) and RDW was studied. Methods and results Stable and optimally treated CHF patients (n = 118) with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <40% were included. RDW and cardiopulmonary exercise testing were obtained at baseline and after 6 months of exercise training (n = 71) or a sedentary lifestyle (n = 47). At baseline, log[RDW] was inversely related to VO2peak (P = 0.003), independently of disease severity [LVEF, New York Heart Association class, N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP)] and haemoglobin. Exercise training was associated with a decrease in RDW compared with controls (P < 0.0001 for interaction), independent of baseline VO2peak, haemoglobin, and NT-proBNP levels. The change in RDW after 6 months was significantly related to the change in VO2peak (r= 0.248, P = 0.009). Conclusions Higher RDW is independently related to impaired exercise capacity in CHF patients. Increased VO2peak following exercise training relates to the observed changes in RDW. Whether increased RDW is a marker of impaired exercise tolerance, or plays a pathophysiological role in impaired oxygen transport, deserves further investigation.
Language
English
Source (journal)
European journal of heart failure. - Place of publication unknown
Publication
Place of publication unknown : 2012
ISSN
1388-9842 [Print]
1879-0844 [Online]
DOI
10.1093/EURJHF/HFR136
Volume/pages
14 :1 (2012) , p. 54-60
ISI
000298382400008
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 15.02.2012
Last edited 04.03.2024
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