How To Session: CPET Basics

The role of cardiopulmonary exercise testing in the evaluation of patients with cardiovascular disease continues to increase. Research has long demonstrated that CPET can provide important prognostic information in both patients with HFrEF and HFpEF. Newer data highlight important subtleties in cardiopulmonary physiology that may uncover unrecognized pathology in certain patients and even lead to novel treatment strategies, particularly when coupled with invasive hemodynamic assessment. Data is also emerging about the role of CPET in surgical and device-based HF treatment. Finally, CPET can be pivotal in the evaluation of patients with unexplained dyspnea by distinguishing the relative contributions of pulmonary, cardiac, and peripheral limitations to exercise. Many such patients are seen by heart failure cardiologists as part of their workup. It is clear that a thorough understanding of exercise physiology and interpretation of CPET is critical to the early career heart failure provider.

Donations will be made to HFSA Research Foundation for those contributing to the competition for Station 1. Alex H will be looking to defend his title. 
 
This workshop will review practical aspects of CPET performance and interpretation, with a goal of providing attendees with hands-on, practical experience and actionable information that can help them develop or broaden the use of CPET In their own practice and increase their confidence in interpreting results.

Session 1: quality control and coordination with staff to ensure that values obtained are reliable; considerations for treadmill vs cycle ergometer
Session 2: A guide to “normal values” would be helpful for reference for participants if not already provided
Session 3: consideration of supine versus upright exercise and the influence on physiology and results interpretation (may very well already be part of Dr. Lewis’s presentation)