Exercise tolerance testing
Grauer, K.; Curry, R.W.
Journal of Family Practice 29(2): 136 214
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0094-3509 PMID: 2754401 Document Number: 336605
To evaluate the exercise tolerance in COPD patients the exercise test with ergometer was performed in 62 patients with ages ranging 25 to 84 yrs including 45 males and 17 females. Ergometer was operated in incremental fashion and work load was increased by 12.5 watts every 30 seconds up to the termination of the test. 42% of the cases completed the test but in 58% of the cases the test was discontinued by respiratory distress or cardiac derangement. Obtained .ovrhdot.V max O2 was 305 .apprx. 1,350 ml/min, that is, about 58% of normal values. AT was 440 to 11,000 ml/min. The increase in 02 pulse was less than expected. From those results was assumed that affecting factor on exercise tolerance in COPD would be respiratory and also cardiovascular disturbances. The exercise testing in COPD patients could be a very useful method for evaluation of exercise tolerance.