OBJECTIVE: Cardiopulmonary exercise test is a useful tool to evaluate the operative risk and to plan exercise treatment for the patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD). In cardiopulmonary exercise test, most of the measured parameters are recorded at the time of peak exercise, which are hard to attain in COPD patients. So we evaluated the usefulness of the parameter, breathing reserve index(BRI=minute ventilation [VE]/maximal voluntary ventilation[MVV]) at the time of anaerobic threshold(BRIAT) for the differentiation of COPD patients with normal controls. METHODS: Thirty-six COPD patients and forty-two healthy subjects underwent progressive, incremental exercise test with bicycle ergometer upto possible maximal exercise. All the parameters was measured by breath by breath method. RESULTS: The maximal oxygen uptake in COPD patients (mean+/-SE) was 1061.2+/-65.6ml/min which was significantly lower than 2137.6+/-1.4ml/min of normal subjects(p<0.01). Percent predicted maximal oxygen uptake was 54.3% in COPD patients and 86.0% in normal subjects(p<0.01). Maximal exercise(respiratory quotient; VCO2/VO2 > or =1.09) was accomplished in 7 of 36 COPD patients(19.4%) and in 18 of 42 normal subjects(42.9%). The BRIAT of COPD patients was higher(0.50+/-0.03) than that of control subject(0.28+/-0.02, p<0.01), reflecting early hyperventilation in COPD patient during exercise. The correlation between BRIAT and BRI at maximal exercise in COPD patients was good(r=0.9687, p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The BRIAT could be a useful parameter for the differentiation of COPD patients with normal controls in the submaximal cardiopulmonary exercise test.
Anaerobic Threshold* ; Exercise Test* ; Humans ; Hyperventilation ; Oxygen ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive* ; Respiration* ; Ventilation

OBJECTIVES: The respiratory compensation threshold(RCT) is thought to be one of parameters by some for the evaluation of physical performance despite its controversial status. The purpose of this investigation is to establish the reference values of the RCT in healthy Korean adults, and to examine the usefulness of this parameter in evaluating physical performance. METHODS: Symptom-limited maximal exercise test by Bruce protocol was carried out, and RCT and AT were determined by the aid of the computerized V-slope method, along with the VO2 max, in 441 healthy Korean adults consisting of 284 men and 157 women aged from 20`s to 60`s. In addition, correlation between RCT and AT was observed, and regression equations of the RCT were also derived. RESULTS: The RCT VO2 was tended to decrease with age in men, but not in women and the RCT VO2 of women was 26-30% less than that of men. The ratio of RCT VO2 to VO2 max (RCT VO2/VO2 max) was tended to increase with age and the RCT V was significantly correlated with AT VC4 and VO2 max in both sexes. CONCLUSION: Our study reveals that the RCT is another useful submaximal index along with the AT in evaluating physical performance. The regression equation of the RCT was RCT VO2(L/min)=1.4232-0.0102 A(age in year)+0.0204 W(weight in kg)-0.4889 S (sex, coded O for males and 1 for females).
Adult* ; Anaerobic Threshold ; Compensation and Redress* ; Exercise Test ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Reference Values

PURPOSE: This study aimed to develop a TES program to improve exercise capacity to promote patient compliance to the prescribed exercise, and to test the feasibility of the program. METHOD: The 8-week TES program consisted of three components : exercise training, self-efficacy enhancement and social support. Using the matching of gender, age, and the left ventricular ejection fraction, thirty one subjects were consecutively assigned to either TES group (n=15, 52+7 years) or Control group (n=16, 58+11 years) 3 weeks after MI. With the exception of exercise compliance (only after the TES program), the exercise capacity and exercise self-efficacy were both measured both before and after the 8-week TES program. RESULT: The VO2peak (p= .043), anaerobic threshold (p= .023) and exercise duration (p= .015) improved in TES group compared to Control group after 8 weeks. The cardiac exercise self-efficacy (p= .036) was significantly higher in TES group than Control group. There was a significant increase of exercise compliance(p= .005) in TES group compared to Control group. CONCLUSION: The 8-week TES program improved the exercise capacity, exercise self-efficacy and exercise compliance. A appropriately implemented TES program in cardiovascular nursing practice may promote healthy behavioral modification and, therefore, contributing to reduce the risk of mortality and morbidity in MI patients.
Anaerobic Threshold ; Cardiovascular Nursing ; Compliance ; Humans ; Methods ; Mortality ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Patient Compliance* ; Stroke Volume

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the usefulness of the oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES) in the evaluation of cardiorespiratory fitness of the stroke patients. METHOD: 25 stroke patients who could walk independently were included in this syudy. The symptom-limited graded treadmill test was performed to assess cardiovascular fitness. During the test, minute ventilation (VE), oxygen consumption (VO2), carbon dioxide production (VCO2), respiratory exchange ratio (RER) and anaerobic threshold (AT) were measured through respiratory gas analysis. A linear relationship was established between the oxygen consumption and the logarithmic transformation of minute ventilation. From this linear relationship, we obtained a slope that represented the OUES. OUES values were obtained from data corresponding to 75% (OUES75), 90% (OUES90) and 100% (OUES100) of the exercise duration. RESULTS: The differences among OUES75, OUES90 and OUES100 groups were not statistically significant and these three groups were highly correlated to each other. Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) was positively correlated with OUES75 (r=0.723), OUES90 (r=0.762), OUES100 (r=0.809) and AT (r=0.696), respectively (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: OUES is considered to be the valuable submaximal index to evaluate the cardiorespiratory fitness of stroke patients who can not reach maximal exercise.
Anaerobic Threshold ; Carbon Dioxide ; Exercise Test ; Humans ; Oxygen Consumption ; Oxygen* ; Stroke* ; Ventilation

Anaerobic Threshold ; Exercise Test ; Female ; Heart Rate ; Lactic Acid ; Lung ; Male

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) on exercise capacity and determine cardiopulmonary exercise (CPEX) parameters associated with improvement in right ventricle (RV) function. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed CPEX and magnetic resonance imaging parameters in a total of 245 patients who underwent PVR from January 1998 to October 2015. In addition, we analyzed the characteristics of the patients who showed improved exercise capacity after PVR. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients met the inclusion criteria for the study. CPEX parameters after PVR showed no significant changes in all patients. However, baseline predicted peak oxygen uptake (VO2(peak)) (%) value was significantly lower in patients with significant improvement in exercise capacity after PVR, as compared to patients who showed decreased exercise capacity after PVR (60.83±10.28 vs. 75.81±13.83) (p=0.003). In addition, patients with improved exercise capacity showed a positive correlation between the change of right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) (%) and the change of anaerobic threshold (r=0.733, p=0.007); whereas, patients with decreased exercise capacity showed a negative correlation between the change of RVEF (%) and the change of predicted VO2(peak) (%) (r=−0.575, p=0.020). CONCLUSION: The importance of predicted VO2(peak) (%) in evaluating exercise capacity differentiated from other CPEX variables. The change of anaerobic threshold and predicted VO2(peak) (%) might be a useful predictor of the change in RV function after PVR.
Anaerobic Threshold ; Exercise Test ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Oxygen ; Pulmonary Valve* ; Retrospective Studies ; Stroke Volume ; Tetralogy of Fallot*

BACKGROUND: Although the long term adverse effects of cigarette smoking on health are well known, the acute possible detrimental effects of smoking on pulmonary or cardiovascular function, especially when these systems are stressed by the metabolic demands of exercise, have not been well studied. The purpose of this study is to .determine the acute action of cigarette smoking on cardiopulmonary function under stress.' METHOD: Twenty-one healthy smoking subjects were studied. Before exrecise testing, history taking, physical examination and baseline studies, including CBC, chest PA, PFT and EKG, were done. The subjects performed an incremental bicycle exercise test to exhaustion on two occasions, one without smoking and the other after smoking 5 cigarettes/h for 2 hours. All indices of P.F.T and bicycle ergometry were compared between before and after smoking. RESULTS: 1. VO2max and O2 pulse showed significant decrease in smoking day. 2. Although there were no significant differences, anaerobic threshold showed a tendency of decrease and HRmax showed that of increase in smoking day. 3. P.F.T. and respiratory indices showed no significant change in smoking day. CONCLUSION: Cigarette smoking has immediate adverse effect, especially on the cardiovascular system rather than the respiratory system. These results would be due to the effect of elevated HbCO and/or impaired blood flow iii response to the exercise stimulus.
Anaerobic Threshold ; Cardiovascular System ; Electrocardiography ; Ergometry ; Exercise Test ; Humans ; Physical Examination ; Respiratory System ; Smoke ; Smoking* ; Thorax ; Tobacco Products* ; Young Adult*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) mediate various signaling pathways that underlie vascular inflammation in atherogenesis and cardiovascular diseases. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) has a variety of multiple beneficial effects, including anti-inflammatory effects. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of CR on ROS in patients with cardiovascular diseases. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The serum level of derivatives of reactive oxidative metabolites, an index of oxidative stress, was measured in 100 patients with cardiovascular diseases before, and, subsequently, 3 and 6 months after, CR. A biological antioxidant potential (BAP) test was applied to assess the antioxidant power of the serum. RESULTS: The resting reactive oxidative metabolite levels decreased 3-6 months after CR {pre: 351+/-97 Carratelli unit (CARR U), 3 months: 329+/-77 CARR U, 6 months: 325+/-63 CARR U, all p<0.01} with the increase of the percentage of the predicted values of VO2 peak and the percentage of the predicted values of VO2 at the anaerobic threshold (VO2 AT) and the decrease of the B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP). The BAP test and antioxidative/oxidative stress ratio increased 6 months after CR. The % changes of the antioxidative/oxidative stress ratio was positively correlated with the % changes of VO2 AT, and negatively correlated with the % changes of the BNP. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that intensive supervised CR significantly improved exercise capacity, which may be attributable to an adaptive response involving more efficient oxidative metabolites or the increased capacity of endogenous anti-oxidative systems in patients with cardiovascular diseases.
Anaerobic Threshold ; Antioxidants ; Atherosclerosis ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Exercise Therapy ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; Oxidative Stress ; Oxygen Consumption ; Reactive Oxygen Species

PURPOSE: We investigated the relationship between severity of pulmonary regurgitation (PR), exercise capacity, right ventricular (RV) volume overload and RV function in the patients with long-term follow-up after repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). METHODS: To evaluate exercise capacity, cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPX) was performed in 26 patients and 18 normal controls on a treadmill, and maximal oxygen consumption (VO(2max)) and anaerobic threshold (AT) were compared among the two groups. To assess severity of PR, RV volume and function, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study was performed in the patient group and the PR fraction (%), RV end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV) and ejection fraction(EF) were measured. Patient group was divided into two subgroups by age and influences of PR on RV volume and function were compared among these subgroups. RESULTS: VO(2max) and AT were significantly decreased in the patients in comparison to the control subjects (28.9+/-10.4 vs 38.1+/-9.9 ml/kg/min, P=0.01; 0.98+/-0.53 vs 1.44+/-0.59 l/min, P=0.03). PR fraction inversely correlated with the VO(2max) (r=-0.58, P<0.01) and had a tendency toward inverse correlation with AT (r=-0.35, P=0.15). In young age group less than 15 years, no significant correlation between RVEDV, RVESV, corrected QRS duration (cQRS) and PR fraction (r=0.48, P=0.19; r=0.45, P=0.22; r=0.12, P=0.76) was observed, but in old age group, RV volume (RVEDV: r=0.73, P=0.01; RVESV: r=0.61, P=0.04) and the cQRS (r=0.66, P=0.03) were increased according to the severity of PR. RVEDV and RVESV showed inverse correlations with RVEF (r-0.59, P=0.003; r= -0.78, P<0.001), and RVEF showed positive correlation with VO(2max) (r=0.62, P=0.04). CONCLUSION: Patients in long-term follow-up after repair of TOF showed impaired exercise capacity than normal subjects. PR has a negative influence on the exercise tolerance in this group of patients, and the deleterious effects of PR on RV volume and QRS prolongation may related with the age and/or duration of PR. RV volume overload may deteriorate RV function and cause resultant exercise impairment.
Anaerobic Threshold ; Exercise Test ; Exercise Tolerance ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Oxygen Consumption ; Pulmonary Valve Insufficiency* ; Tetralogy of Fallot*

UNLABELLEDObjective: In order to assess the integrative cardiopulmonary function after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD), we used symptom limited maximum cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET).

METHODSAll 59 patients diagnosed stable CAD by coronary angiography and echocardiography from August to December of 2014 in our hospital, were divided two groups. PCI group, 31 patients received PCI and drugs. Control group, 28 patients received drugs therapy only. All patients performed CPET before and after the treatment.

RESULTSAll patients safely completed CPET without any complications. The control group, all functional parameters were unchanged (P > 0.05). PCI group, the anaerobic threshold, peak oxygen uptake and peak oxygen pulse increased significantly (P < 0.05) from baseline,but not for others (P > 0.05). For individual analysis, PCI group had higher rates of increase (≥ 10% of baseline) in both peak oxygen uptake and peak oxygen pulse than those of control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCPET is an objective, quantitative, safe and effective method to evaluate the clinical therapeutic efficiency. PCI can improve the integrative cardiopulmonary function in CAD patients.

Anaerobic Threshold ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease ; surgery ; Exercise Test ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Oxygen ; Oxygen Consumption ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention