Six-minute walk test: prognostic value and effects of nebivolol versus placebo in elderly patients with heart failure from the SENIORS trial

Clin Res Cardiol. 2021 Aug;110(8):1193-1201. doi: 10.1007/s00392-020-01768-w. Epub 2020 Nov 2.

Abstract

Background: There is limited information about the 6-min walk test (6MWT) in elderly patients with heart failure. We evaluated 6MWT and the effect of nebivolol on 6MWT from the SENIORS trial.

Methods and results: The SENIORS trial evaluated nebivolol versus placebo on death and hospitalisation in patients aged ≥ 70 years with heart failure. A total of 1982 patients undertook a 6MWT at baseline and 1716 patients at 6 months. Patients were divided into tertiles (≤ 200 m, 201 to ≤ 300 m and > 300 m) and to change in distance walked between baseline and 6 months (< 0 m, 0 to < 30 m and ≥ 30 m). The primary outcome was all-cause mortality and cardiovascular hospital admission. Secondary endpoint was all-cause mortality. Baseline walk distance of ≤ 200 m incurred a greater risk of the primary and secondary outcomes (HR 1.41, CI 95% 1.17-1.69, p < 0.001) and (HR 1.37, CI 95% 1.05-1.78, p = 0.019). A decline in walk distance over 6 months was associated with increased risk of clinical events. Nebivolol had no influence on change in walk distance over 6 months.

Conclusions: The 6MWT has prognostic utility in elderly patients. Those who walked less than 200 m were at highest risk. Nebivolol had no effect on 6MWT.

Keywords: Elderly; Heart failure; Prognosis; Six-minute walk test.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Female
  • Heart Failure / drug therapy*
  • Heart Failure / mortality
  • Heart Failure / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nebivolol / therapeutic use*
  • Prognosis
  • Vasodilator Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Walk Test*

Substances

  • Vasodilator Agents
  • Nebivolol