Intermittent Hypoxic Training as Part of Multimodal Treatment of Heart Failure in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease
Study Objective: To determine the efficacy of intermittent hypoxic training (IHT) during the total treatment period (10 sessions with a 2-day interval, total follow-up of 12 days) and to identify the optimal regimens of using this technique in patients with heart failure (HF). Materials and Methods: A total of 79 hemodynamically stable patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) grade I/II HF and stable symptomatic CAD were examined and treated in the study. In the main group, patients received ten 5-minute sessions of IHT. In the control group, patients were given background medication therapy similar to that of the main group. Results: With IHT, the vessel wall resistance reduces due to an improved myocardial contractility, and endothelial function tends to normalize. An improvement in the ventilation/perfusion relationships and pulmonary and cardiac hemodynamics increases exercise tolerance. This treatment reduced increased sympathetic nerve activity, balanced the autonomic nervous system, and normalized the regulatory and adaptive responses. Conclusion: IHT helps to reduce the need for background medications and, thereby, lessens the risk of side effects and adverse drug reactions. When treatment is individually-tailored and non-intensive and patients'' conditions are properly monitored, IHT is a safe and effective add-on treatment for CAD patients with grade I/II HF.