Work

Effects of Exercise Mode and Intensity on Retinal Microvascular Structure and Function in Heart Failure Patients with Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Pilot Exercise Intervention Trial

Year: 2026

Type: article

Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: We aimed to investigate the effect of different exercise modes on retinal microvascular endothelial function in patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). METHODS: Twenty-eight patients were randomly allocated to either a moderate (MCT) or high-intensity interval training (HIIT) group for 12 weeks. Retinal microvascular structure and function were investigated by analyzing central retinal arteriolar (CRAE) and venular (CRVE) diameter equivalents, the arteriolar-to-venular diameter ratio (AVR), and the dynamic arteriolar (aFID) and venular (vFID) flicker light-induced dilation response. RESULTS: Twenty patients (mean age 70 ± 9 years) were included in the final analysis. After HIIT, AVR increased (0.80 ± 0.03 vs. 0.83 ± 0.04, p = 0.03) due to arteriolar widening. CRAE increased (157 ± 18 µm vs. 164 ± 18 µm, p = 0.05), but CRVE did not change (196 ± 27 µm vs. 197 ± 24 µm, p = 0.56). After MCT, AVR also increased (0.80 ± 0.08 vs. 0.83 ± 0.06, p = 0.02) without significant changes in CRAE (160 ± 19 µm vs. 165 ± 18 µm, p = 0.07) or CRVE (201 ± 14 µm vs. 199 ± 14 µm, p = 0.40). aFID improved after MCT (2.1 ± 1.6% vs. 3.1 ± 1.8%, p = 0.03) but not after the HIIT intervention (2.1 ± 1.7% vs. 2.4 ± 2.1%, p = 0.60). vFID did not statistically significant change neither in the HIIT (4.4 ± 2.2% vs. 3.4 ± 1.9%, p = 0.06) nor in the MCT (4.3 ± 2.2% vs. 5.5 ± 4.1%, p = 0.26) group. CONCLUSION: MCT and HIIT are both adequate therapy options to improve microvascular health in patients with HFpEF.

Source: Journal of Vascular Research

DOI: 10.1159/000553072