Effects of maximally tolerated oral therapy on the six-minute walking test in patients with chronic congestive heart failure secondary to either ischemic or idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.
In patients with heart failure, therapy with "maximally tolerated" oral doses of diuretics, vasodilators, and digitalis results in a significant increase in the distance walked during the 6-minute walking test, compared with conventional therapy at "standard" doses, indicating an improvement in exercise tolerance. The 6-minute walk test is a simple, inexpensive, and well-tolerated test to measure changes in exercise tolerance induced by pharmacologic interventions, even on a short-term basis.
Gualeni
A
A
Cardiology Division, S. Maugeri Foundation, IRCCS, Gussago, Italy.
D'Aloia
A
A
Gentilini
A
A
Pagani
M
M
Giordano
A
A
Faggiano
P
P
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004077:Digoxin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004232:Diuretics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000187:drug effects; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000187:drug effects*; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000187:drug effects*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016138:Walking
D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D004232:Diuretics; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D004077:Digoxin