Permanent atrial fibrillation affects exercise capacity in chronic heart failure patients

Aims The influence of permanent atrial fibrillation on exercise tolerance and cardio-respiratory function during exercise in heart failure (HF) is unknown. Methods and results We retrospectively compared the results of 942 cardiopulmonary exercise tests, performed consecutively at seven Italian laboratories, in HF patients with atrial fibrillation (n = 180) and sinus rhythm (n = 762). By multivariable logistic regression analysis, peak VO2 (OR 0.376, 95% CI 0.240 -0.588, P < 0.0001), O(2)pulse (VO2/heart rate, HR) (OR 0.236, 95% CI 0.152 -0.366, P < 0.0001), VCO2 (OR 3.97, 95% CI 2.163 -7.287, P, 0.0001), and ventilation (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.045 -1.821, P = 0.0231) were independently associated with atrial fibrillation. Anaerobic threshold (AT) was identified in 132 of 180 (73%) atrial fibrillation and in 649 of 762 (85%) sinus rhythm patients (P = 0.0002). By multivariable logistic regression analysis, only peak VO2 (OR 0.214, 95% CI 0.155 -0.296, P < 0.0001) was independently associated with unidentified AT. At AT, atrial fibrillation HF patients had higher HR (P < 0.0001) and higher VO2 (P < 0.001) compared with sinus rhythm HF patients. Among AT variables, by multivariable logistic regression analysis, only HR was an independent predictor of atrial fibrillation. Conclusion In HF patients with permanent atrial fibrillation, exercise performance is reduced as reflected by reduced peak VO2. The finding of unidentified AT is associated with a poor performance. In atrial fibrillation patients, VO2 is higher at AT whereas lower at peak. This last observation raises uncertainties about the use of AT data to define performance and prognosis of HF patients with atrial fibrillation.