RELATION OF EXERCISE TOLERANCE TO THE LEFT VENTRICULAR SYSTOLIC FUNCTION AND DIASTOLIC FILLING IN IDIOPATHIC OR ISCHEMIC DILATED CARDIOMYOPATHY

Abstract

Exercise intolerance is cardinal symptom of patients with DCM and heart failure. the factors that limit exercise capacity in three patients remains a matter of debate. Regular physical training leads to significant improvement of exercise capacity in patients with stable heart failure beside full medical treatment.

In the light of this statement 34 patients with documented DCM and chronic heart failure, and 12 healthy volunteers as control group were subjected to the following: Full history taking, through clinical examination, ro"'irtine lab investigation, ECG, chest x-ray, coronary angiography when needed, full echocardiography examination stressing on syst ic and diastolic indices. - Radionuclide angiography study for evidence of

inducible ischemia, LV volumes and functions. - Cardiopulmonary exercise testing for determination of exercise capacity expressed as peak vo2 achieved

during the test. - Parameters• of LV functions were statically analysed in each group of study populations and its prognostic significance to each other and to exercise capacity were correlated aiming to determine which parameter of LV