Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics of the LF-EMS and sham placebo groups
| Demographics | LF-EMS (n=30) | Sham (n=30) |
| Male (n) | 20 (66%) | 22 (73%) |
| Age (years) | 66.5±7.8 | 66.8±13.5 |
| Body mass index (kg/m2) | 30.1±4.9 | 27.8±4.8 |
| Comorbidities | ||
| Prev MI/PCI/CABG | 17 (56%) | 11 (36%) |
| Diabetes | 12 (40%) | 10 (33%) |
| COPD | 9 (30%) | 8 (26%) |
| AF | 20 (66%) | 16 (53%) |
| Hypertension | 13 (43%) | 10 (33% |
| CKD | 5 (16%) | 13 (43%) |
| Clinical | ||
| NT-pro-BNP (pg/mL) | 3086±3746 | 2046±2545 |
| Creatinine (mmol/L) | 108±49 | 113±39 |
| LVEF % | 39±11* | 22±12† |
| BPsys (mm Hg) | 118±16 | 126±17 |
| BPdia (mm Hg) | 69±9 | 74±14 |
| NYHA III | 24 (80%) | 22 (73%) |
| NYHA IV | 6 (20%) | 8 (26%) |
Data presented as mean±SD or absolute number and percent.
*n=10. Ejection fraction could not be accurately assessed in all patients due to poor body habitus/atrial fibrillation. An experienced cardiac sonographer made an ‘eyeball’ assessment of poor left ventricular function for all other participants.
†n=5. See previous comments.
AF, atrial fibrillation; BPdia (mm Hg), diastolic blood pressure; BPsys (mm Hg), systolic blood pressure; CABG, coronary artery bypass graft surgery; CKD, chronic kidney disease; COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; LF-EMS, low-frequency electrical muscle stimulation; LVEF, left ventricular ejection fraction; MI, myocardial infarction; NT-pro-BNP (pg/mL),N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide; NYHA, New York Heart Association; PCI, percutaneous coronary intervention.