Open AccessLow frequency electrical muscle stimulation and endothelial function in advanced heart failure patients
Author(s) -
Ennis Stuart,
McGregor Gordon,
Shave Robert,
McDonnell Barry,
Thompson Andrew,
Banerjee Prithwish,
Jones Helen
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
esc heart failure
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.787
H-Index - 25
ISSN - 2055-5822
DOI - 10.1002/ehf2.12293
Subject(s) - medicine , brachial artery , heart failure , cardiology , endothelial dysfunction , vo2 max , stimulation , heart rate , blood pressure
Aim Obtain initial estimates of the change in brachial artery endothelial function and maximal oxygen uptake (VO 2peak ) with 8 weeks of low‐frequency electrical muscle stimulation (LF‐EMS) or sham in patients with advanced chronic heart failure. Methods and results Using a double blind, randomized design, 35 patients with chronic heart failure (New York Heart Association class III–IV) were assigned to 8 weeks (5 × 60 min per week) of either LF‐EMS (4 Hz, continuous) or sham (skin level stimulation only) of the quadriceps and hamstrings muscles. Four of the five sessions were at home and one under supervision. Ultrasound images of resting brachial artery diameter and post 5 min occlusion to determine flow‐mediated dilation (FMD), a marker of vascular function and peak oxygen uptake (VO 2peak ) during cardiopulmonary exercise test, were measured before and after LF‐EMS ( n = 20) and sham ( n = 15) interventions. FMD improved by 2.56% (95% confidence interval: 0.69 to 3.80) with LF‐EMS compared with sham ( P = 0.07). There were no notable changes in VO 2peak . Conclusions Improvements in FMD with LF‐EMS may have a clinically meaningful effect as higher FMD is associated with better prognosis. This is a preliminary finding, and a larger trial is warranted.