Cardiopulmonary exercise test

Cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET), also known as cardiopulmonary exercise testing, is a non-invasive diagnostic assessment that assesses the combined performance of the cardiovascular, respiratory, and musculoskeletal systems during physical exercise.^[1] First developed in the early 20th century, CPET has become a gold-standard method for evaluating cardiorespiratory function.^[2] It is widely used to measure exercise tolerance, diagnose cardiopulmonary diseases and guide individualized treatment plans for patients.^[3]

During the test, key physiological parameters, including heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen consumption and ventilation patterns are continuously monitored while the patient performs graded exercise of increasing intensity, typically on a treadmill or cycle ergometer.^[4]^[5] Advanced data analysis is an essential component of CPET, enabling clinicians to interpret the body's response to physical stress and detect abnormalities that may not be evident at rest.^[1]

However, CPET may not be suitable for high-risk patients, such as those recovering from a recent heart attack (myocardial infarction) or experiencing acute respiratory failure.^[3] Despite these contraindications, CPET remains widely utilized in clinical practice, and when combined with other tools, new applications continue to emerge.^[6]

^ ^a ^b Chambers, D. J.; Wisely, NA. (2019-03-20). "Cardiopulmonary exercise testing-a beginner's guide to the nine-panel plot". BJA Education. 19 (5): 158–164. doi:10.1016/j.bjae.2019.01.009. ISSN 2058-5357. PMC 7807922. PMID 33456885.
^ Cite error: The named reference :15 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ ^a ^b "Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET) In Adults". Physiopedia. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
^ Lawson, Tom; Anderson, Helen (2024-04-04). CPET Made Simple A Practical Guide to Cadiopulmonary Exercise Testing. England: Cambridge University Press (published 2024-04-11). pp. 159–168. ISBN 9781009412889.
^ Glaab, Thomas; Taube, Christian (2022-01-12). "Practical guide to cardiopulmonary exercise testing in adults". Respiratory Research. 23 (1): 9. doi:10.1186/s12931-021-01895-6. ISSN 1465-993X. PMC 8754079. PMID 35022059.
^ Cite error: The named reference :13 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[:0-1] Chambers, D. J.; Wisely, NA. (2019-03-20). "Cardiopulmonary exercise testing-a beginner's guide to the nine-panel plot". BJA Education. 19 (5): 158–164. doi:10.1016/j.bjae.2019.01.009. ISSN 2058-5357. PMC 7807922. PMID 33456885.

[:15-2] Cite error: The named reference :15 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[:9-3] "Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET) In Adults". Physiopedia. Retrieved 2025-04-02.

[:7-4] Lawson, Tom; Anderson, Helen (2024-04-04). CPET Made Simple A Practical Guide to Cadiopulmonary Exercise Testing. England: Cambridge University Press (published 2024-04-11). pp. 159–168. ISBN 9781009412889.

[:1-5] Glaab, Thomas; Taube, Christian (2022-01-12). "Practical guide to cardiopulmonary exercise testing in adults". Respiratory Research. 23 (1): 9. doi:10.1186/s12931-021-01895-6. ISSN 1465-993X. PMC 8754079. PMID 35022059.

[:13-6] Cite error: The named reference :13 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

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