Associations of Small-Airway Disease with Exercise Intolerance and Long-Term Outcomes in Patients with Heart Failure and Reduced or Preserved Ejection Fraction.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Small airway is reportedly more susceptible than central airways in heart failure (HF), which may cause poor outcomes. We investigated clinical significance of small-airway disease (SAD) on exercise intolerance and clinical events in patients with HF and reduced or preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Methods

We studied consecutive patients with HF admitted for medical treatment and measured maximum mid-expiratory flow (MMEF) on spirometry and 6-min walking distance (6MWD) at hospital discharge. SAD and exercise intolerance were defined by MMEF relative to <60% of the predicted value and 6MWD <300 m, respectively. Endpoint was composite clinical events of all-cause death and/or HF readmission.

Results

Among 1,016 studied patients, 478 (47.

SUBMITTER: Hamazaki N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12500266 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature