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Table 1 Parameters of CPET and normal values

From: Cardiopulmonary exercise testing and echocardiographic exam: an useful interaction

Variables

Meaning

Normal values

Peak VO2

Highest oxygen uptake (aerobic capacity)

> 85% of predicted

Varies with age sex activity level, weight, use of betablockers

Ventilatory threshold (VT)

Represents the moment at which anaerobic metabolism increases (aerobic-anaerobic switch)

Between 40 to 60% of peak VO2

Ventilatory volume/carbon dioxide output (VE/VCO2) slope

Corresponds to ventilatory efficiency

Between 25 and 30

Peak respiratory exchange ratio (VCO2/VO2)

Reflects metabolism

< 0.8 at rest

> 1.1 physiological maximal effort

Peak Heart rate

Chronotropic competence

Peak rate > 85% of the predicted

Heart rate recovery

Maximum HR minus HR at 1-min recovery

> 12 bpm

End-tidal PCO2

Identifies the perfusion state

> 33 mmHg at rest

> 36 mmHg during exercise

O2 uptake efficiency slope

Additional logarithmic model of ventilatoryefficiency

< 1.4

Peak VE/Maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV)

Reflects the ventilatory reserve

15–20%