Spiesshoefer J, Henke C, Kabitz HJ, et al. - Researchers performed this study among adult patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) (n = 22, 19 male, 61 ± 14 years) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) (n = 8, 7 male, 68 ± 8 years) and 19 matched healthy controls, to investigate lung and respiratory muscle function among patients with HFrEF/HFpEF as well as to ascertain its links with exercise intolerance and markers of systemic inflammation. Lower forced vital capacity (FVC), maximum inspiratory pressure, maximum expiratory pressure, diaphragm thickening ratio, and diaphragm strength were detected in both patient groups vs controls. Amino terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide levels showed an inverse correlation with FVC in patients with HFpEF. Overall, regardless of left ventricular ejection fraction, HF was shown to be related to respiratory muscle dysfunction, which was found to be associated with elevated concentrations of circulating interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor-α.