The Role of Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing in Personalized Medicine
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52692/1857-0011.2025.1-81.18Keywords:
cardiopulmonary exercise testing, dyspnea, cardiopulmonary disease, functional assessment, VO2maxAbstract
This review aims to highlight the utility and applicability of cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), providing a scientific reference intended to inform cardiologists about the practical considerations in its implementation. CPET is an objective, non-invasive, and comprehensive method for assessing exercise capacity and tolerance, facilitating the identification of pathophysiological and etiological mechanisms of dyspnea and functional limitations of cardiovascular, pulmonary, or idiopathic origin.Materials and Methods. A systematic analysis of approximately 50 scientific sources (original articles, practice guidelines, reviews) was performed by querying the PubMed database using the keyword “cardiopulmonary exercise testing.” Selected and analyzed were those papers addressing the methodological, clinical, and prognostic aspects of CPET, with a focus on its applicability in clinical practice. Results. CPET provides objective data regarding aerobic capacity, causes of dyspnea, and prognosis in various cardiopulmonary diseases. It is applicable to patients with cardiac and pulmonary conditions as well as to healthy individuals, including athletes. Evaluated parameters include maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), minute ventilation, gas exchange, ventilatory reserve, and cardiovascular response at rest, during exercise, and in the recovery phase. The choice of parameters for interpretation depends on the specific clinical indication. Conclusions. CPET offers a global and integrative assessment of the physiological responses to exercise from the pulmonary, cardiovascular, hematologic, neuropsychological, and muscular systems. This method supports clinical decision-making through a personalized approach, being valuable both in preventive medicine and medical rehabilitation.
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