Abstract
BACKGROUNDThe prognosis of Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) is directly correlated with the functional capacity (FC). The most common FC test is the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), however, there is evidence to suggest that the 6MWT does not reflect the real FC in PH patients. OBJECTIVETo compare physiological responses among three field walk tests and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH), and to determine the determinants of distance walked in the field walk tests. DESIGNCross sectional. SETTINGOutpatient clinic. PARTICIPANTS26 volunteers (49.8 ± 14.6 years), WHO functional class II-III and a mean pulmonary artery pressure of 45 mmHg. INTERVENTIONSPatients underwent three field walk test: 6MWT, incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT), and endurance shuttle walk test (ESWT) and CPET on different, nonconsecutive days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURESHeart rate and perception of effort at the peak of exercise. RESULTSThe ISWT achieved maximum levels of effort without significant difference in any physiologic response compared to CPET. The physiological responses during ISWT were significantly higher than 6MWT and ESWT responses. CONCLUSIONSThe ISWT produced the greatest physiologic response of the field tests safely for which reason it appears to be the most effective test to assess FC of PH patients.
