Ventilatory efficiency measured during sub-maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing predicts postoperative outcomes following heart transplantation

Abstract

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing is commonly used to evaluate patients for heart transplantation. We assessed the utility of ventilatory efficiency (VE/VCO2) to predict perioperative outcomes following heart transplantation. We retrospectively reviewed all patients undergoing cardiopulmonary exercise testing prior to heart transplantation at our center. Spearman's coefficient showed a correlation between VE/VCO2 and ICU free days in the first 30-days post-transplant (R = –.37, p 35 was associated with significantly lower median ICU-free days (23.0 vs. 27 days; p 35 is independently associated with lower ICU-free days (p <15 mL/min/kg was not associated with higher ICU or hospital-free days. VE/VCO2 >35 independently predicts early postoperative morbidity in patients undergoing heart transplantation.