de Souza Nogueira Sardinha Mendes F, Mediano MFF, de Castro e Souza FC, et al. - Researchers undertook a single-center, parallel-group, clinical trial, the PEACH study, to assess whether the functional capacity of Chagas heart disease (HD) patients with left ventricular dysfunction and/or heart failure can be improved by exercise training. Participants were 30 clinical stable Chagas HD patients exhibiting left ventricular ejection fraction < 45% or heart failure symptoms. The participants were randomized to either supervised exercise training 3 times/week for 6 months or a control group. Functional capacity evaluated by peak exercise oxygen consumption (peak VO₂) determined by cardiopulmonary exercise test was the primary endpoint. In the exercise group, a rise was noted in peak VO₂ while peak VO₂ reduced in controls, leading to a significant difference in alteration in peak VO₂ between groups following 6 months. Also, in terms of alterations in anaerobic threshold, peak oxygen pulse and maximum minute ventilation, significant differences were evident between groups following 6 months of intervention. Overall, an improved functional capacity was achieved with exercise training in chronic Chagas HD patients with left ventricular dysfunction and/or heart failure.