Key Resting Echocardiographic Parameters for the Estimation of Exercise Parameters of Peak VO2, Heart Rate Recovery, and Ventilatory Efficiency

Abstract

Background/Objectives: The peak oxygen consumption (VO2) during cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is a strong predictor of all-cause mortality. The cardiac output, a key determinant of VO2, can be assessed using resting echocardiographic parameters. The heart rate recovery and ventilatory efficiency (VE/VCO2 slope) from CPET offer additional insights into cardiovascular fitness. Methods: This study aimed to identify resting echocardiographic parameters that predict the percentage of predicted peak VO2, heart rate recovery, and VE/VCO2 slope in a general cardiology population. This retrospective analysis included 1909 patients who underwent echocardiography within 3 months of CPET from 2017 to 2022. Patients with potentially confounding co-morbid conditions were removed. Spearman correlations were used to compare 19 echocardiographic parameters to peak VO2, heart rate recovery, and the VE/VCO2 slope, followed by multiple linear regression of peak VO2. Results: Eleven echocardiographic parameters correlated with peak VO2, with the strongest correlations seen with the left ventricular stroke volume index (R = 0.284, p < 0.001), mitral valve medial annular a’ wave velocity (R = 0.142, p < 0.0001), and mitral E-to-e’ ratio (R = −0.117, p < 0.0001). The left ventricular diastolic parameters and mitral E/A ratio correlated strongly with the heart rate recovery and VE/VCO2 slope. The multiple linear regression analysis identified the left ventricular mass index, stroke volume index, mitral valve E wave velocity, tricuspid valve regurgitation peak systolic velocity, tricuspid lateral annular systolic velocity S’, and left atrial volume index as independent predictors of peak VO2 (R2 = 0.191). Conclusions: The left ventricular stroke volume, diastolic function, and RV systolic function markers are significant predictors of cardiopulmonary fitness, aiding clinical decision-making in patients without CPET data.