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Left-ventricular (LV) systolic-diastolic function and cardiac rhythm variability, the rate of pathological LV remodeling and outcomes of the disease for 18 months were studied in 394 males at the age 35-68 years suffering from chronic cardiac failure (CCF) of NYHA functional class I-II consequent to myocardial infarction occurring 9.6-4.2 months before. It was found that long-term (12-24 weeks) taking sauna, underwater dousch-massage, general effervescent baths and exercise in combination with drug therapy in patients with asymptomatic CCF inhibit the rate of LV remodeling, decrease LV hypertrophy, improve diastolic function of the heart. This results in lowering a cumulative risk of unfavourable outcomes of the disease by 42% (p = 0.006). The best of effect of the combined therapy is not achieved in angina of effort, massive myocardial hypoperfusion zones, no viable myocardium in the zones of the lesion, marked LV hypertrophy.

The trial included 63 postmyocardial infarction (PMI) men aged 40-65 years with cardiac failure (CF) NYHA functional class I-II and/or left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction. The patients were randomized into two groups: the study group and the controls. The former received medication plus carbon dioxide baths, the latter received medication only. As shown by two-dimensional echocardiography there were no significant differences between the groups by LV function, volume, myocardial mass. In patients of the study group, ejection fraction increased in 75% patients, in controls--in 62%. In those who have taken baths ejection fraction increased if it was low before the treatment. Transmitral blood flow measured with spectral dopplerography indicated significant changes in diastolic function in the study group. Thus, balneotherapy with carbon dioxide baths significantly improves LV diastolic function and myocardial contractility in patients with impaired LV systolic function.