Prognostic value of exercise tolerance and exercise-induced diastolic dysfunction in elderly patients referred for exercise stress echocardiography

Background: We studied the prognostic value of exercise tolerance and exercise-associated diastolic dysfunction (Ex-DD) in elderly patients referred for exercise stress echocardiography (ExE). Methods: A total of 674 patients >= 60 years who underwent ExE using the Bruce protocol between January 2017 and December 2020 were included in this study. The prognostic factors examined were exercise tolerance, quantified in metabolic equivalents of tasks (METs), and Ex-DD. Patients were followed for a composite endpoint of all-cause death and cardiovascular hospitalization. Results: 122 (18 %) patients had Ex-DD and had a higher incidence of the combined outcome (23 [19 %] vs. 47 [9 %], p = 0.001) compared to patients without Ex-DD. Patients were classified into the following groups: group A (no Ex-DD and METs >= 8.5), group B (either Ex-DD or METs<8.5), and group C (both Ex-DD and METs<8.5). Group B did not show higher mortality (HR: 1.6, p = 0.475) or cardiovascular hospitalization (HR: 1.8, p = 0.08) compared to group A, but showed an increased risk for the combined outcome (HR: 1.9, p = 0.038). Group C was associated with higher mortality (HR: 4.8, p = 0.032), cardiovascular hospitalization (HR: 3.9, p < 0.001), and the combined outcome (HR: 4.0, p < 0.001) compared to group A. Conclusions: Decreased exercise capacity and Ex-DD were associated with poor outcomes, especially when both findings were present.