Cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Procedure and recommendations

Abstract

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) makes it possible to evaluate, simultaneously, the physiological integration of the cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, musculoskeletal and neurosensory systems during exercise. CPET provides a physiological response profile that is useful for diagnosis and follow-up of patients in diverse clinical scenarios. Technological advances have facilitated the performance and interpretation of this test; however, in Mexico it is still little-utilized, in part because it is not widely-known. The objectives of this document are, first, to present a general view of the practical aspects of CPET to pneumologists and the medical community as a whole, and, second, to describe the standard procedure for successful test performance. Finally, the text elucidates basic aspects of the interpretation of test results.