BACKGROUNDTo explore the characteristics of exercise cardio-pulmonary function and its possible influencing factors in patients with lung cancer.

METHODSThe pulmonary function, ECG and exercise cardio-pulmonary function were measured in 198 patients with lung cancer and 20 healthy controls.

RESULTS1. Compared with healthy group, VO₂%P, VO₂/kg, AT, VO₂/HR%, VE and VT/VC significantly decreased in lung cancer patients with normal resting pulmonary ventilation, however, BR remarkably increased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). 2. In patients with normal resting pulmonary ventilation, there was no significant difference of exercise cardio-pulmonary function between the central and peripheral lung cancer groups. 3. The exercise cardio-pulmonary function was closely related to the TNM stages (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). 4. W%, VO₂%P , AT and VO₂/HR% in patients with great vessel invasion were remarkably lower than those without great vessel invasion (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe results suggest that exercise ventilation is impaired in lung cancer patients with normal resting ventilation. And the decrease of exercise cardio-pulmonary function may be related to TNM stage and to great vessel involvement.