Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test The Most Powerful Tool to Detect Hidden Pathophysiology

The cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPX) is an essential examination for detecting pathophysiological derangement and determining treatment policy because it clarifies not only the changes of hemodynamics but also abnormality in the whole body during exercise where heart disease patients often feel symptoms. To utilize CPX effectively, we must understand each parameter, such as peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2), peak VO2/HR, and VE/VCO2. In addition, comparison of each parameter, for example, peak VO2 and VE/CO2, and peak VO2 and peak VO2/HR, is useful to detect the pathophysiological abnormalities. In this article, I will describe how CPX should be used in clinical settings.