Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing in Children

Abstract

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is a noninvasive test that provides a comprehensive assessment of the integrative exercise responses by measuring parameters calculated on a breath-by-breath basis. It can provide insight into the fitness level, cause of exercise limitation, and safe parameters for exercise prescription in children 6 years and older. Common indications for CPET include undiagnosed exercise-induced dyspnea, exercise intolerance in pediatric chronic conditions and for monitoring response after therapy/intervention. It can be utilized to assess the overall fitness, pre-operative risk, and prognosis in chronic conditions. CPET is accessible and dependable in pediatrics, yet challenges like a lack of standardized protocols are noted. With continued development and technological advancements in CPET, there is potential for revolutionizing pediatric diagnostic health care.