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These Japanese investigators previously demonstrated that thermal therapy can improve hemodynamics and symptoms in patients with congestive heart failure (Circulation 1995; 91:2582). Now, the investigators assess whether changes in vascular endothelial function contribute to the improvement. Twelve men and 8 women (mean age, 62) with NYHA class II or III heart failure (85% with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy) were treated in a dry sauna (60 C) for 15 min/day for 2 weeks; 10 age-, sex-, and NYHA-class-matched patients served as controls.
Clinical symptoms improved in 17 of 20 patients with no adverse effects; systolic blood pressure and systemic vascular resistance were significantly lower by the end of treatment. In contrast, control subj…