Aims: To evaluate the effects of different exercise training modalities on inhibiting the left ventricular pathological remodeling in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and screen out the optimal exercise modality.
Methods: We performed a network meta-analysis based on the Frequentist model. Random-effect meta-analyses were used to estimate mean differences (MD) and 95 % confidence intervals.
Key findings: 25 randomized controlled trials (1284 patients) were enrolled in this study. Results revealed that: high-intensity interval training had the best effect in improving left ventricular ejection fraction (p-score = 0.93, MD: 6.44 (3.61 to 9.28)), reducing left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (p-score = 0.97, MD: -6.73 (-10.27 to -3.19)) and left ventricular end-systolic diameter (p-score = 0.97, MD: -9.33 (-14.90 to -3.76)). Combined aerobic training with resistance training and inspiratory muscle training had the best effect in improving maximal oxygen consumption (p-score = 0.90, MD: 5.19 (3.12 to 7.25)).
Significance: Current evidence revealed that exercise training could effectively inhibit left ventricular pathological remodeling in patients with HFrEF. For efficacy, high-intensity interval training may have greater potential.
Keywords: Cardiopulmonary function; Exercise; Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction; Left ventricular pathological remodeling.
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