Exercise Training and Non-Invasive Ventilation for Acute Heart Failure Patients

This study focuses on understanding the safety and effectiveness of exercise training in patients who have been hospitalized due to acute heart failure. Acute heart failure is a condition where the heart suddenly can't pump blood efficiently, causing symptoms like shortness of breath and fatigue. The study aims to find out if exercise training, along with standard medical treatment, can help improve these symptoms and overall health outcomes. The study involves patients who are currently in the hospital for acute heart failure. Upon admission, patients undergo an individualized clinical evaluation by a cardiologist and a physiotherapist. This includes tests like pulmonary function tests, blood samples, a six-minute walk test, and a maximal inspiratory pressure test. Patients are then divided into three groups. One group receives only standard medical treatment, while the other two groups receive medical treatment and exercise training. One of these two groups also receives non-invasive ventilation (NIV) during exercise, while the other receives a placebo NIV. After eight days, all patients undergo a new clinical evaluation. Following this, they continue to receive only standard medical treatment and are monitored for outcomes such as hospital discharge, worsening heart failure, or death.