Impact of heart failure and exercise capacity on sympathetic response to handgrip exercise

Peak oxygen uptake ((V) over dotO(2 peak)) in patients with heart failure (HF) is inversely related to muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) at rest. We hypothesized that the MSNA response to handgrip exercise is augmented in HF patients and is greatest in those with low (V) over dotO(2 peak). We studied 14 HF patients and 10 age-matched normal subjects during isometric [30% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC)] and isotonic (10%, 30%, and 50% MVC) handgrip exercise that was followed by 2 min of posthandgrip ischemia (PHGI). MSNA was significantly increased during exercise in HF but not normal subjects. Both MSNA and HF levels remained significantly elevated during PHGI after 30% isometric and 50% isotonic handgrip in HF but not normal subjects. HF patients with lower (V) over dotO(2 peak) (<56% predicted; n = 8) had significantly higher MSNA during rest and exercise than patients with (V)over dotO(2 peak) > 56% predicted (n = 6) and normal subjects. The muscle metaboreflex contributes to the greater reflex increase in MSNA during ischemic or intense nonischemic exercise in HF. This occurs at a lower threshold than normal and is a function of (V) over dotO(2 peak).