Kim BJ; Kim Y; Oh J; Jang J; Kang SM;

Yonsei Medical Journal [Yonsei Med J] 2019 Jun; Vol. 60 (6), pp. 547-553.

Purpose: Clinical use of cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPETs) is increasing in elderly patients with cardiovascular (CV) diseases. However, data on Korean populations are limited. In this study, we aimed to examine the characteristics and safety of CPET in an elderly Korean population with CV disease.
Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed records of 1485 patients (older than 65 years in age, with various underlying CV diseases) who underwent CPET. All CPET was performed using the modified Bruce ramp protocol.
Results: The mean age of patients was 71.6±4.7 years with 63.9% being men, 567 patients aged 60-65 years, 818 patients aged 70-79 years, and 100 patients aged 80-89 years. The mean respiratory exchange ratio was 1.09±0.14. During CPET, three adverse cardiovascular events occurred (total 0.20%), all ventricular tachycardia. All subjects showed an average exercise capacity of 21.3±5.5 mL/kg/min at peak VO₂ and 6.1±1.6 metabolic equivalents of task, and men showed better exercise capacity than women on most CEPT parameters. A significant difference was seen in peak oxygen uptake according to age group (65-69 years, 22.9±5.8; 70-79 years, 20.7±5.1; 80-89 years, 17.0±4.5 mL/kg/min, p<0.001). The most common causes for CPET termination were dyspnea (64.8%) and leg pain (24.3%), with higher incidence of leg pain in octogenarians compared to other age groups (65-69 years, 22.4%; 70-79 years, 24.6%; 80-89 years, 32.0%, p<0.001).
Conclusion: CPET was relatively a safe and useful modality to assess exercise capacity, even in an elderly Korean population with underlying CV diseases.

Scally C, Rudd A, Mezincescu A, Wilson H, Srivanasan J, Horgan
G, Broadhurst P, Newby DE, Henning A, Dawson DK

Circulation. 2018 Mar 6;137(10):1039-1048

BACKGROUND: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is an increasingly recognized acute heart
failure syndrome precipitated by intense emotional stress. Although there is an
apparent rapid and spontaneous recovery of left ventricular ejection fraction,
the long-term clinical and functional consequences of takotsubo cardiomyopathy
are ill-defined.
METHODS: In an observational case-control study, we recruited 37 patients with
prior (>12-month) takotsubo cardiomyopathy, and 37 age-, sex-, and
comorbidity-matched control subjects. Patients completed the Minnesota Living
with Heart Failure Questionnaire. All participants underwent detailed clinical
phenotypic characterization, including serum biomarker analysis, cardiopulmonary
exercise testing, echocardiography, and cardiac magnetic resonance including
cardiac 31P-spectroscopy.
RESULTS: Participants were predominantly middle-age (64±11 years) women (97%).
Although takotsubo cardiomyopathy occurred 20 (range 13-39) months before the
study, the majority (88%) of patients had persisting symptoms compatible with
heart failure (median of 13 [range 0-76] in the Minnesota Living with Heart
Failure Questionnaire) and cardiac limitation on exercise testing (reduced peak
oxygen consumption, 24±1.3 versus 31±1.3 mL/kg/min, P<0.001; increased VE/Vco2
slope, 31±1 versus 26±1, P=0.002). Despite normal left ventricular ejection
fraction and serum biomarkers, patients with prior takotsubo cardiomyopathy had
impaired cardiac deformation indices (reduced apical circumferential strain,
-16±1.0 versus -23±1.5%, P<0.001; global longitudinal strain, -17±1 versus
-20±1%, P=0.006), increased native T1 mapping values (1264±10 versus 1184±10 ms,
P<0.001), and impaired cardiac energetic status (phosphocreatine/γ-adenosine
triphosphate ratio, 1.3±0.1 versus 1.9±0.1, P<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to previous perceptions, takotsubo cardiomyopathy has
long-lasting clinical consequences, including demonstrable symptomatic and
functional impairment associated with persistent subclinical cardiac dysfunction.
Taken together our findings demonstrate that after takotsubo cardiomyopathy,
patients develop a persistent, long-term heart failure phenotype.

Alsaied T; van der Ven JPG; Juggan S; Sleeper LA; Azcue N; Kroft LJ; Powell AJ; Helbing WA; Rathod RH;

The American Journal Of Cardiology [Am J Cardiol] 2019 Apr 09. Date of Electronic Publication: 2019 Apr 09.

Fontan failure remains a significant problem, especially in patients with an atriopulmonary Fontan. Fontan baffle volume change during the cardiac cycle (Fontan baffle stroke volume) may affect outcomes in Fontan circulation. Assuming that increased Fontan baffle stroke volume is associated with increased energy loss in the baffle, we hypothesized that higher baffle stroke volume is associated with worse exercise capacity and increased incidence of Fontan failure. Patients from 6 centers with an atriopulmonary or lateral tunnel Fontan operation were included if they had a cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) study and an adequate cardiopulmonary exercise test. Fontan baffle stroke volume was defined as the difference between maximum and minimum Fontan baffle volumes. Fontan failure was defined as death, listing for transplantation, heart failure symptoms requiring medications, or peak VO2 below 16 ml/kg/min. The study group consisted of 107 patients (median age 19 years, interquartile range, 14 to 29 years). Most patients (84%) had lateral tunnel procedure. During a median follow-up period of 6.8 [interquartile range: 3.2 to 8.8] years after the CMR, 25 (23%) patients had Fontan failure (7 deaths, 3 listed for transplantation, and 15 with heart failure symptoms). Predictors of Fontan failure on multivariable analysis were ventricular tachycardia, protein losing enteropathy, and additionally in atriopulmonary Fontan only, larger Fontan baffle stroke volume. Predictors of lower peak VO2 on multivariable analysis were older age at CMR and additionally in atriopulmonary Fontan only, larger Fontan baffle stroke volume. In conclusion, larger Fontan baffle stroke volume was independently associated with lower peak VO2 and Fontan failure in atriopulmonary Fontan.

Abbott TEF; Pearse RM; Beattie WS; Phull M; Beilstein C; Raj A; Grocott MPW; Cuthbertson BH; Wijeysundera D; Ackland GL;

British Journal Of Anaesthesia [Br J Anaesth] 2019 Apr 24. Date of Electronic Publication: 2019 Apr 24.

Background: Physiological measures of heart failure are common in surgical patients, despite the absence of a diagnosis. Heart rate (HR) increases during exercise are frequently blunted in heart failure (termed chronotropic incompetence), which primarily reflects beta-adrenoreceptor dysfunction. We examined whether chronotropic incompetence was associated with myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery.
Methods: This was a predefined analysis of an international cohort study where participants aged ≥40 yr underwent symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise testing before noncardiac surgery. Chronotropic incompetence was defined as the ratio of increase in HR during exercise to age-predicted maximal increase in HR <0.6. The primary outcome was myocardial injury within 3 days after surgery, defined by high-sensitivity troponin assays >99th centile. Explanatory variables were biomarkers for heart failure (ventilatory efficiency slope [minute ventilation/carbon dioxide production] ≥34; peak oxygen consumption ≤14 ml kg-1 min-1; HR recovery ≤6 beats min-1 decrease 1 min post-exercise; preoperative N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide [NT pro-BNP] >300 pg ml-1). Myocardial injury was compared in the presence or absence of sympathetic (i.e. chronotropic incompetence) or parasympathetic (i.e. impaired HR recovery after exercise) thresholds indicative of dysfunction. Data are presented as odds ratios (ORs) (95% confidence intervals).
Results: Chronotropic incompetence occurred in 396/1325 (29.9%) participants; only 16/1325 (1.2%) had a heart failure diagnosis. Myocardial injury was sustained by 162/1325 (12.2%) patients. Raised preoperative NT pro-BNP was more common when chronotropic incompetence was <0.6 (OR: 1.57 [1.11-2.23]; P=0.011). Chronotropic incompetence was not significantly associated with myocardial injury (OR: 1.05 [0.74-1.50]; P=0.78), independent of rate-limiting therapy. HR recovery <12 beats min-1 decrease after exercise was associated with myocardial injury in the presence (OR: 1.62 [1.05-2.51]; P=0.03) or absence (OR: 1.60 [1.06-2.39]; P=0.02) of chronotropic incompetence.
Conclusions: Chronotropic incompetence is common in surgical patients. In contrast to parasympathetic dysfunction which was associated with myocardial injury, preoperative chronotropic incompetence (suggestive of sympathetic dysfunction) was not associated with postoperative myocardial injury.

Vignati C; Morosin M; Fusini L; Pezzuto B; Spadafora EDe Martino F; Salvioni E; Rovai S; Filardi PP; Sinagra G; Agostoni P;

European Journal Of Preventive Cardiology [Eur J Prev Cardiol] 2019 Apr 25, pp. 2047487319845967. Date of Electronic Publication: 2019 Apr 25.

Background: Inert gas rebreathing has been recently described as an emergent reliable non-invasive method for cardiac output determination during exercise, allowing a relevant improvement of cardiopulmonary exercise test clinical relevance. For cardiac output measurements by inert gas rebreathing, specific respiratory manoeuvres are needed which might affect pivotal cardiopulmonary exercise test parameters, such as exercise tolerance, oxygen uptake and ventilation vs carbon dioxide output (VE/VCO2) relationship slope.
Method: We retrospectively analysed cardiopulmonary exercise testing of 181 heart failure patients who underwent both cardiopulmonary exercise testing and cardiopulmonary exercise test+cardiac output within two months (average 16 ± 15 days). All patients were in stable clinical conditions (New York Heart Association I-III) and on optimal medical therapy.
Results: The majority of patients were in New York Heart Association Class I and II (78.8%), with a mean left ventricular ejection fraction of 31 ± 10%. No difference was found between the two tests in oxygen uptake at peak exercise (1101 (interquartile range 870-1418) ml/min at cardiopulmonary exercise test vs 1103 (844-1389) at cardiopulmonary exercise test-cardiac output) and at anaerobic threshold. However, anaerobic threshold and peak heart rate, peak workload (75 (58-101) watts and 64 (42-90), p < 0.01) and carbon dioxide output were significantly higher at cardiopulmonary exercise testing than at cardiopulmonary exercise test+cardiac output, whereas VE/VCO2 slope was higher at cardiopulmonary exercise test+cardiac output (30 (27-35) vs 33 (28-37), p < 0.01).
Conclusion: The similar anaerobic threshold and peak oxygen uptake in the two tests with a lower peak workload and higher VE/VCO2 slope at cardiopulmonary exercise test+cardiac output suggest a higher respiratory work and consequent demand for respiratory muscle blood flow secondary to the ventilatory manoeuvres. Accordingly, VE/VCO2 slope and peak workload must be evaluated with caution during cardiopulmonary exercise test+cardiac output.

Sieweke JT; Haghikia A; Riehle C; Klages C; Akin M; König T; Zwadlo C; Treptau J; Schäfer A; Bauersachs J;
Westhoff-Bleck M;

Cardiology In The Young [Cardiol Young] 2019 Apr 30, pp. 1-8. Date of Electronic Publication: 2019 Apr 30.

Background: Late Fontan survivors are at high risk to experience heart failure and death. Therefore, the current study sought to investigate the role of non-invasive diagnostics as prognostic markers for failure of the systemic ventricle following Fontan procedure.
Methods: This monocentric, longitudinal observational study included 60 patients with a median age of 24.5 (19-29) years, who were subjected to cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, echocardiography, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, and blood analysis. The primary endpoint of this study was decompensated heart failure with symptoms at rest, peripheral and/or pulmonary edema, and/or death.
Results: During a follow-up of 24 months, 5 patients died and 5 patients suffered from decompensated heart failure. Clinical (NYHA class, initial surgery), functional (VO2 peak, ejection fraction, cardiac index), circulating biomarkers (N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide), and imaging parameters (end diastolic volume index, end systolic volume index, mass-index, contractility, afterload) were significantly related to the primary endpoint. Multi-variate regression analysis identified afterload as assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging as an independent predictor of the primary endpoint (hazard ratio 1.98, 95% confidence interval 1.19-3.29, p = 0.009).
Conclusion: We identified distinct parameters of cardiopulmonary exercise testing, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and blood testing as markers for future decompensated heart failure and death in patients with Fontan circulation. Importantly, our data also identify increased afterload as an independent predictor for increased morbidity and mortality. This parameter is easy to assess by non-invasive cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Its modulation may represent a potential therapeutic approach target in these high-risk patients.

Dalla Vecchia LA; Barbic F; De Maria B; Cozzolino D; Gatti R; Dipaola F; Brunetta E; Zamuner AR; Porta A; Furlan R;

Plos One [PLoS One] 2019 May 07; Vol. 14 (5), pp. e0216567.

Regular exercise is recommended to improve the cardiovascular risk profile. However, there is growing evidence that extreme volumes and intensity of long-term exertion may increase the risk of acute cardiac events. The aim of this study is to investigate the after-effects of regular, strenuous physical training on the cardiovascular neural regulation in a group of amateur triathletes compared to age-matched sedentary controls. We enrolled 11 non-elite triathletes (4 women, age 24±4 years), who had refrained from exercise for 72 hours, and 11 age-matched healthy non-athletes (3 women, age 25±2 years). Comprehensive echocardiographic and cardiopulmonary exercise tests were performed at baseline. Electrocardiogram, non-invasive blood pressure, respiratory activity, and muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) were continuously recorded in a supine position (REST) and during an incremental 15° step-wise head-up tilt test up to 75° (TILT). Blood samples were collected for determination of stress mediators. Autoregressive spectral analysis provided the indices of the cardiac sympathetic (LFRR) and vagal (HFRR) activity, the vascular sympathetic control (LFSAP), and the cardiac sympatho-vagal modulation (LF/HF). Compared to controls, triathletes were characterized by greater LFRR, LF/HF ratio, LFSAP, MSNA, and lower HFRR at REST and during TILT, i.e. greater overall cardiovascular sympathetic modulation together with lower cardiac vagal activity. Cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone concentrations were also higher in triathletes. In conclusion, triathletes were characterized by signs of sustained cardiovascular sympathetic overactivity. This might represent a risk factor for future cardiovascular events, given the known association between chronic excessive sympathetic activity and increased cardiovascular risk

Iftikhar IH; Greer M; Jaiteh A;

Lung [Lung] 2019 May 10. Date of Electronic Publication: 2019 May 10.

Introduction: Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) is very common in athletes. Cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPET) have traditionally been used for the diagnosis of EIB. However, alternative indirect bronchoprovocation tests have recently been used as surrogate tests. One of these is the eucapnic voluntary hyperventilation (EVH). This meta-analysis studied the agreement between the two tests.
Methods: An extensive search in PubMed and Medline was conducted for studies where participants underwent both CPET and EVH with measurement of forced expiratory volume in 1-second (FEV1). After extracting data using two-by-two contingency tables, pooled positive and negative agreements were first calculated between the two tests, with EVH benchmarked against CPET, and then, pooled positive and negative agreements were calculated with CPET benchmarked against EVH.
Results: The pooled positive and negative agreements between EVH and CPET (with CPET as the reference) were 0.62 [(95% confidence interval 0.54-0.70), I2 77%] and 0.61 [(0.56-0.65)), I2 81%]. The pooled positive and negative agreements between CPET and EVH (with EVH as the reference) were 0.36 [(0.30-0.42), I2 93%] and 0.82 [(0.77-0.86), I2 78%]. The average of positive test results with EVH across all studies was greater than that of CPETs (58.84% vs. 39.51%).
Conclusions: Results of this meta-analysis show poor positive agreement between the two tests but high negative agreement (specifically using EVH as reference), suggesting that either test can be used for correctly identifying those without EIB. Results also suggest that the chances of a test resulting positive are higher with EVH than with CPET.

Furian M; Flueck D; Latshang TD; Scheiwiller PM; Segitz SD; Mueller-Mottet
S; Murer C; Steiner A; Ulrich S; Rothe T; Kohler M; Bloch KE.

International Journal of Copd. 13:3529-3538, 2018.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of altitude travel on exercise
performance and symptoms in lowlanders with COPD.
Design: Randomized crossover trial.
Setting: University Hospital Zurich (490 m), research facility in
mountain villages, Davos Clavadel (1,650 m) and Davos Jakobshorn (2,590m).
Participants: Forty COPD patients, Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung
Disease (GOLD) grade 2-3, living below 800 m, median (quartiles) age 67 y
(60; 69), forced expiratory volume in 1 second 57% predicted (49; 70)
Intervention: Two-day sojourns at 490 m, 1,650 m, and 2,590 m in
randomized order.
Outcome measures: Six-minute walk distance (6MWD), cardiopulmonary
exercise tests, symptoms, and other health effects.
Results: At 490 m, days 1 and 2, median (quartiles) 6MWD were 558 m (477;
587) and 577 m (531; 629). At 2,590 m, days 1 and 2, mean changes in 6MWD
from corresponding day at 490 m were -41 m (95% CI -51 to -31) and -40 m
(-53 to -27), n=40, P<0.05, both changes. At 1,650 m, day 1, 6MWD had
changed by -22 m (-32 to -13), maximal oxygen uptake during bicycle
exercise by -7% (-13 to 0) vs 490 m, P<0.05, both changes. At 490 m, 1,650
m, and 2,590 m, day 1, resting PaO2 were 9.0 (8.4; 9.4), 8.1 (7.5; 8.6),
and 6.8 (6.3; 7.4) kPa, respectively, P<0.05 higher altitudes vs 490 m.
While staying at higher altitudes, nine patients (24%) experienced
symptoms or adverse health effects requiring oxygen therapy or relocation
to lower altitude.

Conclusion: During sojourns at 1,650 m and 2,590 m, lowlanders with
moderate to severe COPD experienced a mild reduction in exercise
performance and nearly one quarter required oxygen therapy or descent to
lower altitude because of adverse health effects. The findings may help to
counsel COPD patients planning altitude travel.

Krol K; Morgan MA; Khurana S.

Medical Clinics of North America. 103(3):565-576, 2019 May.

Respiratory symptoms are common reasons for patients to seek care and
contribute significantly to use of health care resources. Identifying the
underlying etiology of a respiratory symptom is key to management; yet,
pinpointing the cause can be a challenge. Familiarity with the tools
available to help discern between the various contributing etiologies is
crucial in guiding management. Assessment and quantification of pulmonary
function can provide an objective measure to guide diagnosis and therapy.
We review key points of pulmonary function evaluation, highlighting
indications and contraindications, fundamentals of interpretation, and the
limitations of each individual component.