Inspiratory muscle strength and six-minute walking distance in heart failure: Prognostic utility in a 10 years follow up cohort study

Abstract

PImax is an independent mortality predictor in HF, more accurate than 6MWD and LVEF. Addition of 6MWD empowers risk stratification only for intermediate PImax tertile. Although less accurate than pVO2, this simpler approach could be a feasible alternative as a prognostic assessment.