Y.H. Liu, B.P. Dhakal, C. Keesakul, R.M. Kacmarek, G.D. Lewis, and Y. Jiang

BJA, 117 (1): 129-131 (2016)

CORRESPONDENCE

Macías-Rodríguez, Ricardo U; Ilarraza-Lomelí, Hermes;
Ruiz-Margáin, Astrid; Ponce-de-León-Rosales, Sergio; Vargas-Vorácková,
Florencia; García-Flores, Octavio; Torre, Aldo; Duarte-Rojo, Andrés.
Clinical and Translational Gastroenterology, July 2016, Vol. 7 Issue:
Number 7 pe180-e180, 1p;

Abstract: OBJECTIVES:Exercise has been
scarcely studied in patients with cirrhosis, and prior evidence showed
hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) to be increased in response to
exercise. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a
supervised physical exercise program (PEP) in patients with
cirrhosis.

METHODS:In an open-label, pilot clinical trial, patients with
cirrhosis were randomized to PEP (cycloergometry/kinesiotherapy plus
nutritional therapy, n=14) or control (nutritional therapy, n=15); for
14 weeks. Primary outcomes were: the effect of PEP in HVPG, and quality
of life (chronic liver disease questionnaire, CLDQ). As secondary
outcomes we investigated changes in physical fitness (cardiopulmonary
exercise testing), nutritional status (phase angle—bioelectrical
impedance), ammonia levels, and safety.

RESULTS:Twenty-two patients
completed the study (11 each). HVPG decreased in subjects allocated to
PEP (−2.5 mm Hg (interquartile range: −5.25 to 2); P=0.05), and
increased in controls (4 mm Hg (0–5); P=0.039), with a significant
between-groups difference (P=0.009). No major changes were noted in
CLDQ in both groups. There was significant improvement in ventilatory
efficiency (VE/VCO2) in PEP group (−1.9 (−3.12 to −0.1); P=0.033), but
not in controls (−0.4 (−5.7 to 1.4); P=0.467). Phase angle improvement
and a less-pronounced exercise-induced hyperammonemia were noted only
in PEP group. No episodes of variceal bleeding or hepatic
encephalopathy were observed.

CONCLUSIONS:A supervised PEP in patients
with cirrhosis decreases the HVPG and improves nutritional status with
no changes in quality of life. Further studies evaluating physical
training in cirrhosis are eagerly awaited in order to better define the
benefits of sustained exercise.

Abumehdi, Mohammad R.; Wardle,
Andrew J.; Nazzal, Rewa; Charalampopoulos, Athanasios; Schulze-Neick,
Ingram; Derrick, Graham; Moledina, Shahin; Giardini, Alessandro.
Cardiology in the Young, August 2016, Vol. 26 Issue: Number 6
p1144-1150, 7p;

Abstract:

AbstractBackground   Cardiopulmonary exercise
testing helps prognosticate and guide treatment in adults with
pulmonary hypertension. Concerns regarding its feasibility and safety
limit its use in children with pulmonary hypertension. We aimed to
assess the feasibility and safety of cardiopulmonary exercise testing
in a large paediatric pulmonary hypertension cohort.

Methods  We reviewed
all consecutive cardiopulmonary exercise tests performed between March,
2004 and November, 2013. The exclusion criteria were as follows: height
<120 cm, World Health Organization class IV, history of
exercise-induced syncope, or significant ischaemia/arrhythmias.
Significant events recorded were as follows: patient-reported symptoms,
arrhythmias, electrocardiogram abnormalities, and abnormal responses of
arterial O2saturation.

Results  A total of 98 children underwent 167
cardiopulmonary exercise tests. The median age was 14 years
(inter-quartile range 10–15 years). Peak oxygen uptake was 20.4±7.3
ml/kg/minute, corresponding to 51.8±18.3% of the predicted value. Peak
respiratory quotient was 1.08±0.16. All the tests except two were
maximal, being terminated prematurely for clinical reasons. Baseline
Oxygen saturation was 93.3±8.8% and was 81.2±19.5% at peak exercise. A
drop in arterial O2saturation >20% was observed in 23.5% of the
patients. Moreover, five patients (3.0%) experienced dizziness, one
requiring termination of cardiopulmonary exercise testing; five
children (3.0%) experienced chest pain, with early cardiopulmonary
exercise test termination in one patient. No significant arrhythmias or
electrocardiogram changes were observed.

Conclusion  Exercise testing in
non-severely symptomatic children with pulmonary hypertension is safe
and practical, and can be performed in a large number of children with
pulmonary hypertension in a controlled environment with an experienced
team. Side-effects were not serious and were resolved promptly with
test termination.

Di Thommazo-Luporini,
Luciana; Carvalho, Lívia Pinheiro; Luporini, Rafael Luís; Trimer,
Renata; Pantoni, Camila Bianca Falasco; Martinez, Adalberto Felipe;
Catai, Aparecida Maria; Arena, Ross; Borghi-Silva, Audrey.

Disability & Rehabilitation, August 2016, Vol. 38 Issue: Number 18 p1820-1829, 10p;

Abstract: AbstractPurpose:To investigate if cardiovascular and
metabolic responses to the six-minute walk test (6MWT) and incremental
shuttle walking test (ISWT) are in agreement with cardiopulmonary
exercise testing (CPX) and determine if both submaximal tests are
interchangeable in obese and eutrophic individuals.Method:Observational
and cross-sectional study included 51 obese women (ObG) and 21 controls
(CG) (20–45 years old). Subjects underwent clinical evaluation, CPX,
the 6MWT and ISWT. We applied Bland–Altman plots to assess agreement
between walking tests and CPX. Correlation analysis assessed
relationships between key variables.

Results:There was an agreement
between CPX and both the 6MWT [oxygen uptake (VO2mL kg−1 min−1) = 6.9
(CI: 5.7–8.1), and heart rate (bpm) = 37.0 (CI: 33.3–40.7)] and ISWT
[VO2(mL kg−1 min−1) = 6.1 (CI: 4.9–7.3), and heart rate (bpm) = 36.2
(CI: 32.1–40.3)]. We found similar cardiovascular and metabolic
responses to both tests in the ObG but not in the CG. Strong
correlations were demonstrated between 6MWT and ISWT variables: VO2(
r = 0.70); dyspnoea (r = 0.80); and leg fatigue
(r = 0.70).

Conclusions:6MWT and ISWT may both hold interchangeable
clinical value when contrasted with CPX in obese women and may be a
viable alternative in the clinical setting when resources and staffing
are limited.Implications for RehabilitationObesity is a worldwide
epidemic, with high prevalence in women, and it is associated to
impaired cardiorespiratory fitness and functional capacity as well as
high mortality risk. Assessing oxygen uptake by means of cardiopulmonary
exercise testing is the gold standard method for evaluating and
stratifying cardiorespiratory fitness, however it is not ever applied
due to costs and staffing.Walking field tests may be a cost-effective
approach that provides valuable information regarding the functional
capacity in agreement to metabolic and cardiovascular responses of
cardiopulmonary exercise testing.

Story, Christina; Bryant, Ashley Leak; Phillips, Brett;
Bailey, Charlotte; Shields, Edgar W.; Battaglini, Claudio.

Biological Research for Nursing, July 2016, Vol. 18 Issue: Number 4 p432-438, 7p;

Abstract: Introduction:  Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), the
gold standard of cardiopulmonary evaluation, is used to determine
VO2 levels at different aerobic exercise training intensities; however,
it may not be feasible to conduct CPET in all clinical settings.

Aims:
To compare the heart rate reserve (HRR) and percent of 220-age methods
for prescribing cycle ergometry exercise intensity using heart rate
(HR) against the HRs obtained during a CPET in adults undergoing
treatment for acute leukemia (AL).Methods:  In this exploratory study,
part of a larger randomized controlled trial, 14 adults with AL
completed CPET on a cycle ergometer with indirect calorimetry within 96
hr of admission to a cancer hospital to determine VO2peakand HR
corresponding to low (40% VO2peak), moderate (60% VO2peak), and high
(75% VO2peak) exercise intensities. Analyses of variance were used to
compare estimated HR for each intensity level using the HRR and percent
of 220-age methods with HR determined via VO2peak.Results:  HR
corresponding to low-intensity exercise differed significantly across
all three methods (p≤ .05). No significant differences were observed
between HR estimated via the percent of 220-age method and determined
via VO2peakat moderate (100 ± 8 and 113 ± 24 bpm, p= .122) or high
intensities (125 ± 10 and 123 ± 25 bpm, p= .994).

Conclusion:  In adults
with AL, HR-based methods for defining aerobic exercise intensities
should be used with caution. At low intensity, neither should be used,
while at moderate and high intensities, the percent of 220-age equation
might serve as an adequate substitute for CPET.

Chan, K. E.; Pathak, S.; Smart, N. J.; Batchelor, N.; Daniels, I. R..

Colorectal Disease, June 2016, Vol. 18 Issue: Number 6 p578-585, 8p;

Abstract:
Advanced age and occult cardiorespiratory disease are associated with
increased morbidity and mortality following surgery. Cardiopulmonary
exercise testing (CPET) may allow the identification of high‐risk
patients and facilitate planned postoperative critical care support.
The aim of this study was to determine whether preoperative CPETin
patients aged over 80 undergoing elective colorectal cancer resection
was associated with improved outcome. All patients aged 80 years and
above undergoing elective colorectal cancer resection between 1 March
2011 and 1 September 2013 were retrospectively analysed. Referral for
CPET testing was at the discretion of the operating surgeon.
Postoperative critical care unit (CCU) admission was based upon the
CPETresults. Ninety‐four patients were identified, of whom 48 underwent
CPETtesting. The CPET group were significantly older than the
non‐CPETgroup (85 vs83 years, P= 0.04) and were more likely to have a
planned admission to CCU postoperatively (P< 0.0001). Despite the
increased use of CCU resources, the overall CCU length of stay (LOS) in
the CPET group did not differ from the non‐CPETgroup, but the
non‐CPET group had a higher proportion of Level‐3 care. There were no
differences in the incidence of unplanned CCU admission between the
CPET and the non‐CPETgroup (P= 0.23). There were no differences in
overall LOS between the two groups (P= 0.42). There was no difference in
mortality (P= 0.11), overall complications (P= 0.53) or severe
complications (P= 0.3). Preoperative CPET testing in patients aged over
80 undergoing elective colorectal cancer resection allows
identification of higher‐risk patients and mitigation of risk by
preemptive admission to a CCU. This stratification allows equivalent
results to be achieved in high‐ and low‐risk elderly patients
undergoing colorectal surgery.

Boereboom, C.; Phillips, B.;
Williams, J.; Lund, J..

Techniques in Coloproctology, June 2016, Vol.
20 Issue: Number 6 p375-382, 8p;

Abstract: Over 41,000 people were
diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC) in the UK in 2011. The incidence
of CRC increases with age. Many elderly patients undergo surgery for
CRC, the only curative treatment. Such patients are exposed to risks,
which increase with age and reduced physical fitness. Endurance-based
exercise training programmes can improve physical fitness, but such
programmes do not comply with the UK, National Cancer Action Team
31-day time-to-treatment target. High-intensity interval training (HIT)
can improve physical performance within 2–4 weeks, but few studies have
shown HIT to be effective in elderly individuals, and those who do
employ programmes longer than 31 days. Therefore, we investigated
whether HIT could improve cardiorespiratory fitness in elderly
volunteers, age-matched to a CRC population, within 31 days.
This observational cohort study recruited 21 healthy elderly
participants (8 male and 13 female; age 67 years (range 62–73 years))
who undertook cardiopulmonary exercise testing before and after
completing 12 sessions of HIT within a 31-day period.
Peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) (23.9 ± 4.7 vs. 26.2 ± 5.4 ml/kg/min,
p= 0.0014) and oxygen consumption at anaerobic threshold (17.86 ± 4.45
vs. 20.21 ± 4.11 ml/kg/min, p= 0.008) increased after HIT.
It is possible to improve cardiorespiratory fitness in 31 days in
individuals of comparable age to those presenting for CRC surgery.

Hirashiki, Akihiro; Kondo, Takahisa; Okumura, Takahiro; Kamimura, Yoshihiro;
Nakano, Yoshihisa; Fukaya, Kenji; Sawamura, Akinori; Morimoto, Ryota;
Adachi, Shiro; Takeshita, Kyosuke; Murohara, Toyoaki.

Annals of Noninvasive Electrocardiology, May 2016, Vol. 21 Issue: Number 3
p263-271, 9p;

Abstract: Recently, it has become increasingly recognized
that pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a particularly threatening result
of left‐sided heart disease. However, there have been few
investigations of the impact of cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX)
variables on PH in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). We evaluated the
usefulness of crucial CPX variables for detecting elevated pulmonary
arterial pressure (PAP) in patients with DCM. Ninety subjects with DCM
underwent cardiac catheterization and CPX at our hospital. Receiver
operator characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to assess the
ability of CPX variables to distinguish between the presence and
absence of PH. Overall mean values were: mean PAP (mPAP), 18.0 ± 9.6
mmHg; plasma brain natriuretic peptide, 233 ± 295 pg/mL; and left
ventricular ejection fraction, 30.2 ± 11.0%. Patients were allocated to
one of two groups on the basis of mean PAP, namely DCM without PH [mean
PAP (mPAP) <25 mmHg; n= 75] and DCM with PH (mPAP ≥25 mmHg; n= 15). A
cutoff achieved percentage of predicted peak VO2(%PPeak VO2) of 52.5%
was the best predictor of an mPAP ≥25 mmHg in the ROC analysis (area
under curve: 0.911). In the multivariate analysis, %PPeak VO2was the
only significant independent predictor of PH (Wald 6.52, odds ratio
0.892, 95% CI 0.818–0.974; P = 0.011). %PPeak VO2was strongly
associated with the presence of PH in patients with DCM. Taken
together, these findings indicate that CPX variables could be important
for diagnosing PH in patients with DCM.

Dumitrescu D, Gerhardt F, Viethen T, Schmidt M, Mayer E, Rosenkranz S.

BMC Pulm Med. 2016;16:21.

BACKGROUND: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a progressive disease. For patients with operable CTEPH, there is a clear recommendation for surgical removal of persistent thrombi by pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA). However, without the presence of PH, therapeutic management of chronic thromboembolic disease (CTED) is challenging – especially in highly trained subjects exceeding predicted values of maximal exercise capacity.

CASE PRESENTATION: A 43-year-old male athlete reported with progressive exercise limitation since 8 months. Six months earlier, pulmonary embolism had occurred, and was treated since with oral anticoagulation. A pulmonary ventilation/perfusion scan showed severe ventilation/perfusion mismatch: chest CT and pulmonary angiography revealed bilateral wall-adherent thrombotic material, but pulmonary hemodynamics were completely normal. His peak oxygen uptake exceeded predicted values, however exercise ventilatory efficiency was abnormal, compared to a matching athlete. After thoroughly discussing therapeutic options with the patient, he successfully underwent pulmonary endarterectomy at an expert center. Five and twelve months after surgery, his maximal exercise capacity and ventilatory efficiency profoundly improved beyond preoperative values, and his subjective exercise tolerance had returned to normal.
CONCLUSIONS: Significant CTED may be present without relevant pathologic changes in pulmonary hemodynamics at rest. Reaching normal values of maximal exercise capacity does not exclude pulmonary vascular disease in highly trained subjects. More data are needed to evaluate the risk-/benefit ratio of PEA in patients with CTED and normal pulmonary hemodynamics. A thorough discussion with the patient as well as shared decision making regarding therapy are mandatory. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing may add important clinical information in the non-invasive diagnostic evaluation at baseline and during follow-up.

Tran, Steven; Krige, Anton.

Journal of Clinical Anesthesia, November 2016, Vol. 34 Issue: Number 1 p270-271, 2p;
Abstract: The benefits of cardiopulmonary exercise testing have been
well established. Certain patient groups present challenges for
conducting such a test. We were presented with a patient with a
permanent tracheostomy at the preoperative assessment clinic. We
describe our technique in overcoming the problem of connecting him to
the testing machine, as this is normally done with the aid of a
tight-fitting face mask. We used a cuffed tracheostomy tube together
with some widely available tubing from theaters to connect the patient
to the gas analyzer. The test was only stopped because of excessive
secretions from the patient, and we had already established enough data
to tell us that the patient was fit enough to proceed to surgery. As
more patients present with tracheostomies, we feel that this case would
be a useful reference in managing and assessing such patients.