Objective To test the hypothesis that the treatment of hepatocyte growth-promoting factors (pHGF) by venous injection improves myocardial ischaemia, kinetics of oxygen uptake (VO2) and cardiopulmonary functional capacity during exercise in patients with severe coronary heart disease.

Methods 58 patients enrolled for a two week treatment period were divided into pHGF group (30) and control (28). Treadmill graded exercise tests with gas analysis were conducted before and after treatment to evaluate the changes of cardiorespiratory function and myocardial ischaemia. LVEF was measured by ultrasound cardiography.

Results The degree of exercise-induced ST segment depression (⊿ST)were decreased significantly and HRmax and HRmax/⊿ST increased significantly in pHGF group. Compared to the control, total exercise time were prolonged more significantlyand total exercise time/⊿ST and total work load were also increased more significantly in pHGF group. Maximal heart rate, VO₂ peak and anaerobic threshold (AT) were increased more significantly in pHGF group than in control. Peak oxygen pulse was improved also significantly by 1.09 ml/beat in pHGF group. But there are no changes of LVEF in both group.

Conclusions The treatment of pHGF by venous injection improves favourably myocardial ischaemia during exercise, improves VO₂ and AT further and enhances their exercise capacity on the basis of conventional medication.