Exercise training meta-analysis of trials in patients with chronic heart failure (ExTraMATCH).
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of exercise training on survival in patients with heart failure due to left ventricular systolic dysfunction.


METHODS
Collaborative meta-analysis. Inclusion criteria Randomised parallel group controlled trials of exercise training for at least eight weeks with individual patient data on survival for at least three months. Studies reviewed Nine datasets, totalling 801 patients: 395 received exercise training and 406 were controls.


METHODS
Death from all causes.


RESULTS
During a mean (SD) follow up of 705 (729) days there were 88 (22%) deaths in the exercise arm and 105 (26%) in the control arm. Exercise training significantly reduced mortality (hazard ratio 0.65, 95% confidence interval, 0.46 to 0.92; log rank chi(2) = 5.9; P = 0.015). The secondary end point of death or admission to hospital was also reduced (0.72, 0.56 to 0.93; log rank chi(2) = 6.4; P = 0.011). No statistically significant subgroup specific treatment effect was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Meta-analysis of randomised trials to date gives no evidence that properly supervised medical training programmes for patients with heart failure might be dangerous, and indeed there is clear evidence of an overall reduction in mortality. Further research should focus on optimising exercise programmes and identifying appropriate patient groups to target.
Piepoli
M F
MF
Cardiac Medicine, Royal Brompton Hospital, Imperial College of Science Technology and Medicine, London.
Davos
C
C
Francis
D P
DP
Coats
A J S
AJ
D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000401:mortality / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D016019:Survival Analysis