Abdalla HM; Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, USA.
Dreher L; VanDolah H; Bacon A; El-Nayir M; Abdelnabi M;
Ibrahim R; Pham HN; Bcharah G; Pathangey G; Wheatley-Guy C; Reddy S;
Farina J; Ayoub C; Arsanjani R

Current Cardiology Reports. 27(1):130, 2025 Sep 06. VI 1

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: VO2 max is a fundamental marker of cardiorespiratory
fitness with substantial prognostic and diagnostic value within the field
of cardiology. This review analyzes current and emerging evidence
regarding its clinical uses, highlights key evidence gaps, and explores
emerging developments poised to broaden its clinical application.

RECENT FINDINGS: Evidence supports VO2 max as a powerful independent
predictor for heart failure, coronary artery disease, hypertrophic
cardiomyopathy, and cardiac amyloidosis, supporting it use in identifying
high-risk patients for advanced interventions. Recent developments
including the integration of machine learning and wearable devices can
facilitate accurate VO2 estimation in routine clinical practice without
the necessity of specialized diagnostic tools. Despite its robust
diagnostic and prognostic value, VO2 max assessment remains underutilized
in routine cardiovascular care, primarily due to the need for specialized
equipment and personnel. Future research should explore emerging
technological innovations for VO2 max estimation and the development of
evidence-based protocols to support i