Engan M; Hammer IJ; Bekken M; Halvorsen T; Fretheim-Kelly ZL; Vollsæter M; Bovim LPV; Røksund OD; Clemm H;

ERJ open research [ERJ Open Res] 2021 Feb 15; Vol. 7 (1). Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Feb 15 (Print Publication: 2021).

Aims: A cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) is the gold standard to evaluate symptom-limiting exercise intolerance, while continuous laryngoscopy performed during exercise (CLE) is required to diagnose exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction. Combining CPET with CLE would save time and resources; however, the CPET data may be distorted by the extra equipment. We therefore aimed to study whether CPET with CLE influences peak oxygen uptake ( V ‘_{O 2} peak) and other gas exchange parameters when compared to a regular CPET.
Methods: Forty healthy athletes without exercise-related breathing problems, 15-35 years of age, performed CPET to peak exercise with and without an added CLE set-up, in randomised order 2-4 days apart, applying an identical computerised treadmill protocol.
Results: At peak exercise, the mean difference (95% confidence interval) between CPET with and without extra CLE set-up for V ‘_{O 2} peak, respiratory exchange ratio (RER), minute ventilation ( V ‘_E ) and heart rate (HR) was 0.2 (-0.4 to 0.8) mL·kg ^-1 ·min ^-1 , 0.01(-0.007 to 0.027) units, 2.6 (-1.3 to 6.5) L·min ^-1 and 1.4 (-0.8 to 3.5) beats·min ^-1 , respectively. Agreement (95% limits of agreement) for V ‘_{O 2} peak, RER and V ‘_E was 0.2 (±3.7) mL·kg ^-1 ·min ^-1 , 0.01 (±0.10) units and 2.6 (±24.0) L·min ^-1 , respectively. No systematic or proportional bias was found except for the completed distance, which was 49 m (95% CI 16 to 82 m) longer during CPET.
Conclusion: Parameters of gas exchange, including V ‘_{O 2} peak and RER, obtained from a maximal CPET performed with the extra CLE set-up can be used interchangeably with data obtained from standard CPET, thus preventing unnecessary additional testing.

Marsico A; Dal Corso S; Farah de Carvalho E; Arakelian V; Phillips S; Stirbulov R; Polonio I; Navarro F;
Consolim-Colombo F; Cahalin LP; Malosa Sampaio LM;

European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicine [Eur J Phys Rehabil Med] 2021 Feb 23. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Feb 23.

Background: The prognosis of Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) is directly correlated with the functional capacity (FC). The most common FC test is the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), however, there is evidence to suggest that the 6MWT does not reflect the real FC in PH patients.
Objective: To compare physiological responses among three field walk tests and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH), and to determine the determinants of distance walked in the field walk tests.
Design: Cross sectional.
Setting: Outpatient clinic.
Participants: 26 volunteers (49.8 ± 14.6 years), WHO functional class II-III and a mean pulmonary artery pressure of 45 mmHg.
Interventions: Patients underwent three field walk test: 6MWT, incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT), and endurance shuttle walk test (ESWT) and CPET on different, nonconsecutive days.
Main Outcome Measures: Heart rate and perception of effort at the peak of exercise.
Results: The ISWT achieved maximum levels of effort without significant difference in any physiologic response compared to CPET. The physiological responses during ISWT were significantly higher than 6MWT and ESWT responses.
Conclusions: The ISWT produced the greatest physiologic response of the field tests safely for which reason it appears to be the most effective test to assess FC of PH patients.

van den Bosch E; Bossers SSM; Kamphuis VP; Boersma E; Breur JMPJ; Kapusta L; Bartelds B; Roest AAW; Kuipers IM; Blom NA; Koopman LP; Helbing WA;

Journal of the American Heart Association [J Am Heart Assoc] 2021 Feb; Vol. 10 (5), pp. e015022. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Feb 24.

Background Patients who have undergone the Fontan procedure are at high risk of circulatory failure. In an exploratory analysis we aimed to determine the prognostic value of blood biomarkers in a young cohort who have undergone the Fontan procedure.
Methods and Results In multicenter prospective studies patients who have undergone the Fontan procedure underwent blood sampling, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, and stress cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Several biomarkers including NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide), GDF-15 (growth differentiation factor 15), Gal-3 (galectin-3), ST2 (suppression of tumorigenicity 2), DLK-1 (protein delta homolog 1), FABP-4 (fatty acid-binding protein 4), IGFBP-1 (insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1), IGFBP-7, MMP-2 (matrix metalloproteinase 2), and vWF (von Willebrand factor) were assessed in blood at 9.6 (7.1-12.1) years after Fontan completion. After this baseline study measurement, follow-up information was collected on the incidence of adverse cardiac events, including cardiac death, out of hospital cardiac arrest, heart transplantation (listing), cardiac reintervention (severe events), hospitalization, and cardioversion/ablation for arrhythmias was collected and the relation with blood biomarkers was assessed by Cox proportional hazard analyses. The correlation between biomarkers and other clinical parameters was evaluated. We included 133 patients who have undergone the Fontan procedure, median age 13.2 (25th, 75th percentile 10.4-15.9) years, median age at Fontan 3.2 (2.5-3.9) years. After a median follow-up of 6.2 (4.9-6.9) years, 36 (27.1%) patients experienced an event of whom 13 (9.8%) had a severe event. NT-proBNP was associated with (all) events during follow-up and remained predictive after correction for age, sex, and dominant ventricle (hazard ratio, 1.89; CI, 1.32-2.68). The severe event-free survival was better in patients with low levels of GDF-15 ( P =0.005) and vWF ( P =0.008) and high levels of DLK-1 ( P =0.041). There was a positive correlation (β=0.33, P =0.003) between DLK-1 and stress cardiac magnetic resonance imaging functional reserve.
Conclusions NT-proBNP, GDF-15, vWF, DLK-1, ST-2 FABP-4, and IGFBP-7 levels relate to long-term outcome in young patients who have undergone the Fontan procedure.

The ventilatory efficiency and its clinical and prognostic value in cardiorespiratory disorders (ersjournals.com)

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Stephan Lang, Robert Herold, Alexander Kraft, Volker Harth, Alexandra M.

PLoS ONE 13(12):e0207648.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0207648

Spiroergometric measurements of persons who require oxygen insufflation due to illness
can be performed under conditions of increased inspiratory oxygen concentration (FIO2).
This increase in FIO2, however, often leads to errors in the calculation of oxygen consumption
(V_ O2). These inconsistencies are due to the application of the Haldane Transformation
(HT), an otherwise indispensable correction factor in the calculation of V_ O2 that becomes
inaccurate at higher FIO2 concentrations. A possible solution to this problem could be the
use of the ‘Eschenbacher transformation’ (ET) as an alternative correction factor. This study
examines the concentration of FIO2 at which the HT and the ET are valid, providing plausible
data of oxygen consumption corresponding to the wattage achieved during cycle ergometry.
Ten healthy volunteers underwent spiroergometric testing under standard conditions (FIO2 =
20.9%), as well as at FIO2 = 40% and 80%. When compared with the predicted values of
V_ O2, as calculated according to Wasserman et al. (2012), the data obtained show that both
the HT and ET are valid under normal conditions and at an increased FIO2 of 40%. At FIO2
concentrations of 80%, however, the V_ O2 values provided by the HT begin to lose plausibility,
whereas the ET continues to provide credible results. We conclude that the use of the ET
in place of the HT in spiroergometric measurements with increased FIO2 allows a reliable
evaluation of stress tests in patients requiring high doses of supplemental oxygen.

David C. Poole , Harry B. Rossiter , George A. Brooks and L. Bruce Gladden

J Physiol 599.3 (2021) ppp 737–767

Abstract The anaerobic threshold (AT) remains a widely recognized, and contentious, concept
in exercise physiology and medicine. As conceived by Karlman Wasserman, the AT coalesced
the increase of blood lactate concentration ([La−]), during a progressive exercise test, with an
excess pulmonary carbon dioxide output (˙VCO2 ). Its principal tenets were: limiting oxygen (O2)
delivery to exercisingmuscle→increased glycolysis, La− and H+ production→decreasedmuscle
and blood pH→with increased H+ buffered by blood [HCO3−]→increased CO2 release from
blood→increased ˙VCO2 and pulmonary ventilation. This schema stimulated scientific scrutiny
which challenged the fundamental premise that muscle anoxia was requisite for increased
muscle and blood [La−]. It is now recognized that insufficient O2 is not the primary basis for
lactataemia. Increased production and utilization of La− represent the response to increased
glycolytic flux elicited by increasing work rate, and determine the oxygen uptake (˙VO2) at which
La− accumulates in the arterial blood (the lactate threshold; LT). However, the threshold for a
sustained non-oxidative contribution to exercise energetics is the critical power, which occurs
at a metabolic rate often far above the LT and separates heavy from very heavy/severe-intensity
exercise. Lactate is nowappreciated as a crucial energy source,major gluconeogenic precursor and
signalling molecule but there is no ipso facto evidence formuscle dysoxia or anoxia. Non-invasive
estimation of LT using the gas exchange threshold (non-linear increase of ˙VCO2 versus ˙VO2 )
remains important in exercise training and in the clinic, but its conceptual basis should now be
understood in light of lactate shuttle biology.

Pierantonio Laveneziana, Marcello Di Paolo  and Paolo Palange

Eur Respir Rev 2021; 30: 200187 [https://doi.org/10.1183/16000617.0187-2020].

ABSTRACT Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) has long been used as diagnostic tool for cardiac
diseases. During recent years CPET has been proven to be additionally useful for 1) distinguishing
between normal and abnormal responses to exercise; 2) determining peak oxygen uptake and level of
disability; 3) identifying factors contributing to dyspnoea and exercise limitation; 4) differentiating between
ventilatory (respiratory mechanics and pulmonary gas exchange), cardiovascular, metabolic and peripheral
muscle causes of exercise intolerance; 5) identifying anomalies of ventilatory (respiratory mechanics and
pulmonary gas exchange), cardiovascular and metabolic systems, as well as peripheral muscle
and psychological disorders; 6) screening for coexistent ischaemic heart disease, peripheral vascular disease
and arterial hypoxaemia; 7) assisting in planning individualised exercise training; 8) generating prognostic
information; and 9) objectively evaluating the impact of therapeutic interventions.
As such, CPET is an essential part of patients’ clinical assessment. This article belongs to the special
series on the “Ventilatory efficiency and its clinical prognostic value in cardiorespiratory disorders”,
addressed to clinicians, physiologists and researchers, and aims at encouraging them to get acquainted
with CPET in order to help and orient the clinical decision concerning individual patients.
Introduction

Legendre A; Moatemri F; Kovalska O; Balice-Pasquinelli M; Blanchard JC; Lamar-Tanguy A; Ledru F; Cristofini P;
Iliou MC;

International journal of cardiology [Int J Cardiol] 2021 Feb 08. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Feb 08.

Background: Exercise training (ET) increases exercise tolerance, improves quality of life and likely the prognosis in heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, some patients do not improve, whereas exercise training response is still poorly understood. Measurement of cardiac output during cardiopulmonary exercise test might allow ET response assessment according to the different steps of oxygen transport.
Methods: Fifty-three patients with HFrEF (24 with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) and 29 with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) had an aerobic ET. Before and after ET program, peak oxygen consumption (VO _2peak ) and cardiac output using thoracic impedancemetry were measured. Oxygen convection (QO _2peak ) and diffusion (DO ₂ ) were calculated using Fick’s principle and Fick’s simplified law. Patients were considered as responders if the gain was superior to 10%.
Results: We found 55% VO _2peak responders, 62% QO _2peak responders and 56% DO ₂ responders. Four patients did not have any response. None baseline predictive factor for VO _2peak response was found. QO _2peak response was related to exercise stroke volume (r = 0.84), cardiac power (r = 0.83) and systemic vascular resistance (SVR _peak ) (r = -0.42) responses. Cardiac power response was higher in patients with ICM than in those with DCM (p < 0.05). Predictors of QO2 _peak response were low baseline exercise stroke volume and ICM etiology. Predictors of DO ₂ response were higher baseline blood creatinine and prolonged training.
Conclusion: The analysis of the response to training in patients with HFrEF according to the different steps of oxygen transport revealed different phenotypes on VO _2peak responses, namely responses in either oxygen convection and/or diffusion.

Yang SH; Yang MC; Wu YK; Wu CW; Hsieh PC; Kuo CY; Tzeng IS; Lan CC;

International journal of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis] 2021 Feb 10; Vol. 16, pp. 245-256. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Feb 10 (Print Publication: 2021).

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive disease with deteriorating cardiopulmonary function that decreases the health-related quality of life (HRQL) and exercise capacity. Patients with COPD often have cardiovascular and muscular problems that hinder oxygen uptake by peripheral tissues, resulting in poor oxygen consumption efficiency. It is important to develop new physiological parameters to evaluate oxygen consumption efficiency during activities and to evaluate its association with exercise capacity and HRQL. Work efficiency (WE) measures oxygen consumption efficiency during exercise. We hypothesize that patients with poor WE should have exercise intolerance and poor HRQL. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the association between WE and exercise capacity, HRQL and other cardiopulmonary parameters.
Patients and Methods: Seventy-eight patients with COPD were evaluated with spirometry, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, and assessment of dyspnea score and HRQL (using the St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire [SGRQ]). Cardiopulmonary exercise testing was performed using a cycle ergometer with an incremental protocol and exhaled breath analysis to assess oxygen consumption. WE was defined as the relationship between oxygen consumption and workload.
Results: There were 31 patients with normal WE (group I) and 47 patients (group II) with poor WE. Patients with poor WE had lower exercise capacity (maximal oxygen consumption, group I vs II as 1050±53 vs 845 ±34 mL/min, p=0.0011), poorer HRQL (SGRQ score 41.1±3.0 vs 55±2.2, p=0.0002), higher exertional dyspnea score (5.1±0.2 vs 6.1±0.2, p= 0.0034) and early anaerobic metabolism during exercise (anaerobic threshold, 672±27 vs 583 ±18 mL/min, p=0.0052).
Conclusion: WE is associated with exercise capacity and HRQL. Here, patients with poor WE also had exercise intolerance, poorer HRQL, and more exertional dyspnea.

Chuda A; Banach M; Maciejewski M; Bielecka-Dabrowa A;

Irish journal of medical science [Ir J Med Sci] 2021 Feb 17. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Feb 17.

Heart failure (HF) is the only cardiovascular disease with an ever increasing incidence. HF, through reduced functional capacity, frequent exacerbations of disease, and repeated hospitalizations, results in poorer quality of life, decreased work productivity, and significantly increased costs of the public health system. The main challenge in the treatment of HF is the availability of reliable prognostic models that would allow patients and doctors to develop realistic expectations about the prognosis and to choose the appropriate therapy and monitoring method. At this moment, there is a lack of universal parameters or scales on the basis of which we could easily capture the moment of deterioration of HF patients’ condition. Hence, it is crucial to identify such factors which at the same time will be widely available, cheap, and easy to use. We can find many studies showing different predictors of unfavorable outcome in HF patients: thorough assessment with echocardiography imaging, exercise testing (e.g., 6-min walk test, cardiopulmonary exercise testing), and biomarkers (e.g., N-terminal pro-brain type natriuretic peptide, high-sensitivity troponin T, galectin-3, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein). Some of them are very promising, but more research is needed to create a specific panel on the basis of which we will be able to assess HF patients. At this moment despite identification of many markers of adverse outcomes, clinical decision-making in HF is still predominantly based on a few basic parameters, such as the presence of HF symptoms (NYHA class), left ventricular ejection fraction, and QRS complex duration and morphology.