de Souza IPMA; Cardio Pulmonar Hospital, Salvador, Bahia,Brazil
Ramos JVSP; da Silveira AD; Stein R; Ribeiro RS; Pazelli AM;
de Oliveira QB; Darze ES; Ritt LEF

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the independent and
added value of a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPX) to New York Heart
Association (NYHA) functional analysis in patients with heart failure (HF)
and ejection fraction (EF) <50%.
METHODS: Patients (n = 613) with HF and EF < 50% underwent CPX and were
followed for 28 +/- 17 mo with respect to primary outcomes (death or heart
transplantation).
RESULTS: Mean patient age was 56 +/- 12 yr, and 64% were male. Most
patients were classified as NYHA class II (41%). The composite rate of
primary outcomes was 12%; death occurred in 9%, and heart transplant in
4%. Independent predictors of primary outcomes were: EF (HR = 0.95: 95%
CI, 0.92-0.98; P = .001) and NYHA (HR = 2.06: 95% CI, 1.54-2.75; P <
.0001). When added to the model, peak oxygen uptake (V O2peak ) was an
independent predictor (HR = 0.90: 95% CI, 0.84-0.96; P = .001), as was the
percentage of predicted V O2peak (HR = 0.03: 95% CI, 0.007-0.147; P <
.001), minute ventilation/carbon dioxide production slope (HR = 1.02: 95%
CI, 1.01-1.04; P = .012), and CPX score (HR = 1.16: 95% CI, 1.06-1.27; P =
.001).
CONCLUSIONS: CPX variables were independent predictors of HF prognosis,
even when controlled by NYHA functional class. Despite being independent
predictors, the value added to NYHA classification was modest and lacked
statistical significance.