Review article

Which Answers Can Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing Provide?

Tajana Jalušić Glunčić ; KBC Zagreb

Abstract

Aim: To show the importance of data obtained by Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET). Exercise intolerance is the main problem in pulmonary and cardiac diseases. Lung and cardiac function test results obtained at rest are poorly predictive of the degree of exercise intolerance. Methods: Selective literature review. Results: A good interpretation of CPET results requires an insight into the possible reasons for exercise intolerance and possible indications for CPET. Before CPET, basic medical history, status, and results of any previous tests should be known. It is also very important to know CPET limiting disorders. The CPET interpretation must answer the questions of the referring physician. Recommendations for further processing may be given eventually. Conclusion: CPET can provide an objective measure of exercise capacity, identify the mechanisms limiting exercise tolerance, and establish indices of disease prognosis, disease progression monitoring and/or treatment response. The superiority of CPET results over those obtained at rest is obvious.

Keywords

exercise intolerance; cardiopulmonary exercise testing; prognosis of the illness

Hrčak ID:

81148

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/81148

Publication date:

19.12.2011.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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