Congestive heart failure exercise stress testing
Resident Survival Guide |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Lakshmi Gopalakrishnan, M.B.B.S. [2]
Overview
Exercise stress testing with an assessment of oxygen consumption is useful in assessing the functional capacity of the heart failure patient. Angiography can exclude the presence of an ischemic basis for the disease, and cardiac catheterization can evaluate the hemodynamic basis of heart failure and the response to drug. Myocardial viability studies can determine whether hypocontractile myocardium is viable but just hibernating, and could therefore benefit from revascularization.
Exercise Stress Testing
Exercise stress testing is useful in measuring the "functional capacity" of heart failure patients. It is also helpful to assess the efficacy of congestive heart failure treatment.
Class I |
" Cardiopulmonary exercise testing is recommended as a part of the evaluation for heart transplantation and /or mechanical circulatory support. (Level of Evidence: C) " |
Class IIa |
"Cardiopulmonary exercise testing should be considered to optimize prescription of exercise training. (Level of Evidence: C) " |
" Cardiopulmonary exercise testing should be considered to identify the cause of unexplained dyspnea and/or exercise intolerance.(Level of Evidence: C) " |