DuBrock, Hilary M.; Kradin, Richard
L.; Rodriguez-Lopez, Josanna M.; Channick, Richard N..

Pulmonary Circulation (JSTOR), September 2015, Vol. 5 Issue: Number 3 p580-586,
7p;

Abstract: Pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis (PCH) is a
rare form of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) characterized by
pulmonary capillary proliferation and pseudoinvasion of collagenous
septal structures. PCH is often accompanied by veno-occlusive changes
and pulmonary hypertensive arterial remodeling. The clinical and
pathological diagnosis of PCH can be subtle and easily missed. Most
reported cases of PCH have been associated with resting PAH. We report
the cases of 3 patients who initially presented with exertional dyspnea
with normal to mildly elevated resting pulmonary arterial pressures and
marked intrapulmonary shunting. In all 3 patients, invasive
cardiopulmonary exercise testing was suggestive of pulmonary vascular
disease. Owing to abnormalities on invasive exercise testing, lung
biopsies were performed; these were diagnostic of PCH, and the patients
were referred for lung transplantation. We describe unique features of
these 3 cases—including novel pathological findings and the presence of
intrapulmonary shunting in all 3 patients—and we discuss the role of
cardiopulmonary exercise testing in the evaluation of PCH.

Klein, David A.;
Katz, Daniel H.; Beussink-Nelson, Lauren; Sanchez, Cynthia L.;
Strzelczyk, Theresa A.; Shah, Sanjiv J..

The American Journal of Cardiology, October 2015, Vol. 116 Issue: Number 7 p1093-1100, 8p

 
Abstract: Chronotropic incompetence (CI) is common in heart failure
with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and may be a key reason
underlying exercise intolerance in these patients. However, the
determinants of CI in HFpEF are unknown. We prospectively studied 157
patients with consecutive HFpEF who underwent cardiopulmonary exercise
testing and defined CI according to specific thresholds of the percent
heart rate reserve (%HRR). CI was diagnosed as present if %HRR <80 if
not taking a β blocker and <62 if taking β blockers. Participants who
achieved inadequate exercise effort (respiratory exchange ratio ≤1.05)
on cardiopulmonary exercise testing were excluded.
Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression was used to determine the
factors associated with CI. Of the 157 participants, 108 (69%) achieved
a respiratory exchange ratio >1.05 and were included in the final
analysis. Of these 108 participants, 70% were women, 62% were taking β
blockers, and 38% had chronic kidney disease. Most patients with HFpEF
met criteria for CI (81 of 108; 75%). Lower estimated glomerular
filtration rate (GFR), higher B-type natriuretic peptide, and higher
pulmonary artery systolic pressure were each associated with CI. A 1-SD
decrease in GFR was independently associated with CI after
multivariable adjustment (adjusted odds ratio 2.2, 95% confidence
interval 1.1 to 4.4, p = 0.02). The association between reduced GFR and
CI persisted when considering a variety of measures of chronotropic
response. In conclusion, reduced GFR is the major clinical correlate of
CI in patients with HFpEF, and further study of the relation between
chronic kidney disease and CI may provide insight into the
pathophysiology of CI in HFpEF.

The Henry Ford Hospital Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (FIT-CPX) Project by Brawner,
Clinton A.; Shafiq, Ali; Aldred, Heather A.; Ehrman, Jonathan K.;
Leifer, Eric S.; Selektor, Yelena; Tita, Cristina; Velez, Mauricio;
Williams, Celeste T.; Schairer, John R.; Lanfear, David E.; Keteyian,
Steven J..

Journal of Cardiac Failure, September 2015, Vol. 21 Issue:
Number 9 p710-718, 9p;

Abstract: Many studies have shown a strong
association between numerous variables from a cardiopulmonary exercise
(CPX) test and prognosis in patients with heart failure with reduced
ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, few studies have compared the
prognostic value of a majority of these variables simultaneously, so
controversy remains regarding optimal interpretation.

Ulyett, Simon; Wiggans, Matthew G.; Bowles, Matthew J.; Aroori,
Somaiah; Briggs, Christopher D.; Erasmus, Paul; Minto, Gary; Stell,
David A..

Journal of Surgical Research, September 2015, Vol. 198 Issue:
Number 1 p87-92, 6p;

Abstract: Liver resection is associated with
significant morbidity, and assessment of risk is an important part of
preoperative consultations. Objective methods exist to assess operative
risk, including cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX). Subjective
assessment is also made in clinic, and patients perceived to be
high-risk are referred for CPX at our institution. This article
addresses clinicians’ ability to identify patients with a higher risk
of surgical complications after hepatectomy, using selection for CPX as
a surrogate marker for increased operative risk.;

West MA; Parry M; Asher R; Key A; Walker P;
Loughney L; Pintus S; Duffy N; Jack S; Torella F

British Journal Of Anaesthesia [Br J Anaesth], ISSN: 1471-6771, 2015 Jun; Vol. 114 (6),
pp. 878-85; Publisher: Oxford University Press; PMID: 25716221;

Background: Perioperative beta-blockade is widely used, especially
before vascular surgery; however, its impact on exercise performance
assessed using cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in this group is
unknown. We hypothesized that beta-blocker therapy would significantly
improve CPET-derived physical fitness in this group.Methods: We
recruited patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) of <5.5 cm
under surveillance. All patients underwent CPET on and off
beta-blockers. Patients routinely prescribed beta-blockers underwent a
first CPET on medication. Beta-blockers were stopped for one week
before a second CPET. Patients not routinely taking beta-blockers
underwent the first CPET off treatment, then performed a second CPET
after commencement of bisoprolol for at least 48 h. Oxygen uptake
(.VO2) at estimated lactate threshold and .VO2 at peak were primary
outcome variables. A linear mixed-effects model was fitted to
investigate any difference in adjusted CPET variables on and off
beta-blockers.Results: Forty-eight patients completed the study. No
difference was observed in .VO2 at estimated lactate threshold and .VO2
at peak; however, a significant decrease in .VE/.VCO2 at estimated
lactate threshold and peak, an increase in workload at estimated
lactate threshold., O2 pulse and heart rate both at estimated lactate
threshold and peak was found with beta-blockers. Patients taking
beta-blockers routinely (chronic group) had worse exercise performance
(lower .VO2 ).

Conclusions: Beta blockade has a significant impact on
CPET-derived exercise performance, albeit without changing .VO2 at
estimated lactate threshold and.VO2 at peak. This supports performance
of preoperative CPET on or off beta-blockers depending on local
perioperative practice.Clinical Trial Registration: NCT 02106286.

Barakat HM; Shahin Y; McCollum PT; Chetter IC,

Anaesthesia
ISSN: 1365-2044, 2015 Jun; Vol. 70 (6), pp. 679-85;
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell; PMID: 25656939;

This study aimed at
assessing whether measures of aerobic fitness can predict postoperative
cardiac and pulmonary complications, 30-day mortality and length of
hospital stay following elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. We
prospectively collected cardiopulmonary exercise testing data over two
years for 130 patients. Upon multivariate analysis, a decreased
anaerobic threshold (OR (95% CI) 0.55 (0.37-0.84); p = 0.005) and open
repair (OR (95% CI) 6.99 (1.56-31.48); p = 0.011) were associated with
cardiac complications. Similarly, an increased ventilatory equivalent
for carbon dioxide (OR (95% CI) 1.18 (1.05-1.33); p = 0.005) and open
repair (OR (95% CI) 14.29 (3.24-62.90); p < 0.001) were associated with
pulmonary complications. Patients who had an endovascular repair had
shorter hospital and critical care lengths of stay (p < 0.001).
Measures of fitness were not associated with 30-day mortality or length
of hospital stay. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing variables,
therefore, seem to predict different postoperative complications
following abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, which adds value to their
routine use in risk stratification and optimisation of peri-operative
care.© 2015 The Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and
Ireland.

O’Meagher, Shamus; Seneviratne,
Martin; Skilton, Michael; Munoz, Phillip; Robinson, Peter; Malitz,
Nathan; Tanous, David; Celermajer, David; Puranik, Rajesh.

Pediatric Cardiology, August 2015, Vol. 36 Issue: Number 6 p1225-1231, 7p;
Abstract: The relationship between exercise capacity and right
ventricular (RV) structure and function in adult repaired tetralogy of
Fallot (TOF) is poorly understood. We therefore aimed to examine the
relationships between cardiac MRI and cardiopulmonary exercise test
variables in adult repaired TOF patients. In particular, we sought to
determine the role of RV mass in determining exercise capacity.
Eighty-two adult repaired TOF patients (age at evaluation
26 ± 10 years; mean age at repair 2.5 ± 2.8 years; 23.3 ± 7.9 years
since repair; 53 males) (including nine patients with tetralogy-type
pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect) were prospectively
recruited to undergo cardiac MRI and cardiopulmonary exercise testing.
As expected, these repaired TOF patients had RV dilatation (indexed RV
end-diastolic volume: 153 ± 43.9 mL/m2), moderate–severe pulmonary
regurgitation (pulmonary regurgitant fraction: 33 ± 14 %) and preserved
left (LV ejection fraction: 59 ± 8 %) and RV systolic function (RV
ejection fraction: 51 ± 7 %). Exercise capacity was near-normal (peak
work: 88 ± 17 % predicted; peak oxygen consumption: 84 ± 17 %
predicted). Peak work exhibited a significant positive correlation with
RV mass in univariate analysis (r= 0.45, p< 0.001) and (independent of
other cardiac MRI variables) in multivariate analyses. For each 10 g
higher RV mass, peak work was 8 W higher. Peak work exhibits a
significant positive correlation with RV mass, independent of other
cardiac MRI variables. RV mass measured on cardiac MRI may provide a
novel marker of clinical progress in adult patients with repaired TOF.

A study for 342 cases
Gao, Ke; Yu, Peng‐ming; Su, Jian‐hua; He, Cheng‐qi; Liu, Lun‐xu; Zhou,
Yu‐bin; Pu, Qiang; Che, Guo‐wei.

Thoracic Cancer, July 2015, Vol. 6  Issue: Number 4 p443-449, 7p;

Abstract: An evaluation of
cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) screening and pre‐operative
pulmonary rehabilitation in reducing postoperative complications and
improving fast‐track recovery in high‐risk patients who undergo
resection for lung cancer. Of 342 potential lung cancer cases, 142
high‐risk patients were finally divided into two groups: group R(n =
71) underwent an intensive pre‐operative pulmonary rehabilitation
program (PRP), followed by lobectomy; group S(n = 71) underwent only
lobectomy with conventional management. Postoperative complications,
average days in hospital, postoperative days in hospital, and cost were
analyzed. The 142 high‐risk patients were screened by smoking history
and CPET. Sixty‐eight patients had bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR)
and 47 patients had peak expiratory flow <250 L/minute by CPET. The
rate of postoperative total complications in group R(16.90%) was
significantly lower than in group S(83.31%) (P= 0.00), as was the rate
of postoperative pulmonary complications PPC: group R(12.81%)
versusS(13.55%) (P= 0.009); the PPCin the left lung (17.9%) was higher
than in the right lung (2.3%) (P= 0.00). The average days in hospital
in group S was significantly higher than in group R(P= 0.03). There was
no difference between groups in average hospital cost (P= 0.304).
Pre‐operative screening using CPETis conducive to identifying high‐risk
patients for lung resection. Pre‐operative pulmonary rehabilitation is
helpful to reduce postoperative complications and improve fast‐track
recovery.

Müller, Jan; Hager, Alfred; Diller, Gerhard-Paul; Derrick,
Graham; Buys, Roselien; Dubowy, Karl-Otto; Takken, Tim; Orwat, Stefan;
Inuzuka, Ryo; Vanhees, Luc; Gatzoulis, Michael; Giardini, Alessandro.
International Journal of Cardiology, October 2015, Vol. 196 Issue:
Number 1 p158-164, 7p

Abstract: Patients with repaired tetralogy of
Fallot (ToF) have an increased long-term risk of cardiovascular
morbidity and mortality. Risk stratification in this population is
difficult. Initial evidence suggests that cardiopulmonary exercise
testing (CPET) may be helpful to risk-stratify patients with repaired
ToF.