The acute effects of glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) on exercise capacity in patients who have an implantable cardiac pump (LVAD)

Difference in peak VO2 between the cardiopulmonary tests with GTN and placebo, as assessed using a cardiometabolic cart ;; Distance completed during 6 minute walk test, measured in a corridor with a known distance

The goal of our study is to assess the effects of translingual GTN on exercise capacity as assessed by cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and 6-minute walk tests (6MWT), in LVAD recipients. GTN is a medication that relaxes the vessels and makes the work of the LVAD and the native heart easier. Additionally, this medication is cheap and readily available. Patients will perform 2 tests each (both CPET and 6MWT), one with a pre exercise dose of GTN and one with a dose of placebo. Patients and investigators will be blind to the treatment assigned to avoid biases. Our main hypothesis is that exercise capacity will be better with a pre exercise dose of GTN as compared to placebo. If this hypothesis is confirmed, GTN could potentially be used in rehabilitation programs for LVAD recipients.