Heart failure & cardiomyopathiesRandomised controlled trial
Effects of Synchronizing Foot Strike and Cardiac Phase on Exercise Hemodynamics in Patients With Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: A Within-Subjects Pilot Study to Fine-Tune Cardio-Locomotor Coupling for Heart Failure
- Randomised crossover pilot study
- within-subjects
Authors' conclusion
In patients with CHF who have received CRT, diastolic stepping increases stroke volume and oxygen delivery and decreases afterload.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with chronic congestive HF and previously implanted cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) pacemakers
- Participants
- 10 patients
- Comparison
- Diastolic vs systolic foot-strike synchronisation during walking
- Primary endpoint
- Exercise stroke volume and cardiac output during fixed-paced treadmill walking
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
| Group | Stroke volume | Cardiac output |
|---|---|---|
| Diastolic | 80±28 mL | 8.3±3.5 L/min |
| Systolic | 74±26 mL | 7.9±3.4 L/min |
- Diastolic vs Systolic: P = 0.003 — stroke volume
- Diastolic vs Systolic: P = 0.004 — cardiac output
Further findings
Oxygen uptake (V̇o2)
P = 0.299
Mean arterial pressure
P = 0.007
Heart rate (paced)
- Not different between conditions
Original publication
Effects of Synchronizing Foot Strike and Cardiac Phase on Exercise Hemodynamics in Patients With Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: A Within-Subjects Pilot Study to Fine-Tune Cardio-Locomotor Coupling for Heart Failure. Circulation. Published 13 October 2023. doi:10.1161/circulationaha.123.066170
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it