@article{2998896, title = "Respiratory drive and breathing pattern abnormalities are related to exercise intolerance in chronic heart failure patients", author = "Tasoulis, A. and Dimopoulos, S. and Repasos, E. and Manetos, C. and Tzanis, G. and Sousonis, V. and Papazachou, O. and Terrovitis, J. and Nanas, S.", journal = "Respiratory Physiology and Neurobiology", year = "2014", volume = "192", number = "1", pages = "90-94", doi = "10.1016/j.resp.2013.11.011", keywords = "adult; article; breathing disorder; breathing pattern; cardiac patient; cardiopulmonary exercise test; controlled study; disease severity; exercise; female; forced expiratory volume; heart failure; human; lung function test; major clinical study; male; middle aged; mouth occlusion pressure; oxygen consumption; peak inspiratory flow; priority journal; respiratory drive, Chronic heart failure; Inspiratory pressure; Mouth occlusion pressure; Respiratory drive; Ventilatory pattern, Adult; Aged; Anthropometry; Chronic Disease; Exercise; Exercise Tolerance; Female; Forced Expiratory Volume; Heart Failure; Humans; Inspiratory Capacity; Male; Middle Aged; Physical Exertion; Respiration Disorders; Respiratory Function Tests", abstract = "Background: Patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) are characterized by exercise intolerance and ventilatory abnormalities that are related to poor prognosis. We hypothesized that CHF patients have increased respiratory drive and abnormal breathing pattern during exercise in relation to disease severity. Materials and methods: The study population consisted of 219 stable CHF patients and 30 healthy control subjects. All subjects underwent a symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), pulmonary function tests, measurement of the maximal inspiratory pressure (PImax) and respiratory drive (P0.1).Measurements included peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak, ml/kg/min). Respiratory drive was measured by mouth occlusion pressure P0.1 and P0.1/PImax ratio at rest, and by mean inspiratory flow (VT/TI) at rest and during exercise. CHF patients were divided into 3 groups according to VO2 peak (Group A: >20, Group B: 20-16 and Group C: <16ml/kg/min). Results: CHF patients presented higher P0.1/PImax (4.1±3.6 vs 3.0±1.5, p=0.007) and VT/TI at rest (0.48±0.14 vs 0.41±0.10, L/s respectively, p=0.004) and lower VT/TI at peak exercise (2.17±0.66 vs 2.56±0.73, L/s, p=0.009) compared to controls. P0.1/PImax was higher in CHF Group C vs B vs A (4.9±2.9 vs 3.6±1.8 vs 3.1±1.8, respectively, p<0.001), while VT/TI at peak exercise was lower (1.71±0.43 vs 2.15±0.52 vs 2.65±0.64, L/s, respectively, p<0.001). Conclusions: CHF patients present increased respiratory drive at rest and abnormal breathing pattern during exercise in relation to CHF severity. © 2013 Elsevier B.V." }