Ward SA, Grocott MPW, Levett DZH.

Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2017 Jul;14(Supplement_1):S140-S148. doi:
10.1513/AnnalsATS.201701-043OT.

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in hyperoxia and hypoxia has several
applications, stemming from characterization of abnormal physiological response
profiles associated with exercise intolerance. As altered oxygenation can impact
the performance of gas-concentration and flow sensors and pulmonary gas exchange
algorithms, integrated CPET system function requires validation under these
conditions. Also, as oxygenation status can influence peak [Formula: see text]o2,
care should be taken in the selection of work-rate incrementation rates when CPET
performance is to be compared with normobaria at sea level. CPET has been used to
evaluate the effects of supplemental O2 on exercise intolerance in chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease, interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, and cystic
fibrosis at sea level. However, identification of those CPET indices likely to be
predictive of supplemental O2 outcomes for exercise tolerance at altitude in such
patients is lacking. CPET performance with supplemental O2 in respiratory
patients residing at high altitudes is also poorly studied. Finally, CPET has the
potential to give physiological and clinical information about acute and chronic
mountain sickness, high-altitude pulmonary edema, and high-altitude cerebral
edema. It may also translate high-altitude acclimatization and adaptive processes
in healthy individuals into intensive care medical practice.