Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing: The ABC for the Clinical Cardiologist

Helen Triantafyllidi; Dionyssia Birmpa; Dimitrios Benas; Paraskevi Trivilou; Anastasia Fambri; Efstathios K Iliodromitis

doi:10.1159/000520024

Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing: The ABC for the Clinical Cardiologist

Cardiology. 2022;147(1):62-71. doi: 10.1159/000520024. Epub 2021 Oct 14.

Authors

Helen Triantafyllidi¹, Dionyssia Birmpa¹, Dimitrios Benas¹, Paraskevi Trivilou¹, Anastasia Fambri¹, Efstathios K Iliodromitis¹

Affiliation

¹ 2nd Department of Cardiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, ATTIKON Hospital, Athens, Greece.

PMID: 34649252
DOI: 10.1159/000520024

Abstract

Background: Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is the most comprehensive technique which allows a holistic approach to cardiopulmonary diseases.

Summary: This article provides basic information addressed to the Clinical Cardiologist regarding the utility and the indications of the CPET technique in the everyday clinical practice. Clinical application of CPET continues to evolve and protocols should be adapted to each specific patient to obtain the most reliable and useful information. Key Messages: Clinical Cardiologists with an interest over CPET may become familiar with this exercise method and its main measured variables, refresh their knowledge regarding the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of oxygen transport chain, learn how to interpret the CPET results and promote appropriate patient referrals to experts.

Keywords: Cardiopulmonary exercise testing; Heart failure; Oxygen consumption.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Cardiologists*
Exercise
Exercise Test / methods
Exercise Tolerance
Heart
Heart Failure*
Humans