Abstract
Maximum exercise workload(Wmax) is today assessed by Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing(CPET) and though a valuable marker of disease status and treatment effect, the procedure is difficult to standardise and exposes COPD patients, often having cardiovascular comorbidities, to an unnecessary risk.
Our aim was to define a prediction algorithm of Wmax and verify its accuracy by 2 CPET protocols, having as final goal to eliminate the use of Wmax test.
Baseline data (Wmax and lung function tests) from 800 COPD patients were used to create the algorithm.A pilot study followed, including 15 COPD patients, who performed lung function tests and answered to symptoms/quality of life questionnaires. Then CPET was performed, to the point of exhaustion, once for each of the 2 protocols;1)Standard Incremental Exercise Test(SIET), with 1 minute of load less pedalling, followed by a stepwise increase of 10 W/min,2)New Incremental Exercise Test(NIET), with 1 minute of load less pedalling, then 3 minutes of pedalling at 40% of the predicted Wmax for the individual, followed by a continuous linear increase of workload in order to reach 100% of predicted Wmax within 12 minutes.
Best prediction algorithm of Wmax included age, height, weight, diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), FVC, FEV1, FEF 25-75, FEF50 and alveolar volume. Measured Wmax values from NIET were predicted with an R2=0.84 while for SIET with an R2=0.66. New potential predictors were identified using NIET, e.g. VO2 and VCO2 during pedalling at 40% of predicted Wmax.
Our algorithm could predict Wmax, which was verified in our pilot study. However, further confirmation of the algorithm is necessary before being able to eliminate Wmax test.
Footnotes
Cite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2018 52: Suppl. 62, OA5345.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
- Copyright ©the authors 2018