Influence of specific drug therapy on cardiopulmonary exercise testing parameters in patients with pulmonary hypertension

Background: The objective of the study was to quantify the cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) parameters in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension after beginning of a specific pharmacotherapy (calcium channel blocker, endothelin receptor antagonist, prostanoid and/or phosphodiesterase inhibitor).Methods: 49 patients with a mean pulmonary arterial pressure of 45 mmHg underwent 3-monthly CPET during a follow-up of 24 months.Results: After 3 months, peak oxygen uptake (14.0 ± 1.0 versus 15.7 ± 1.1 ml/min/kg) and oxygen pulse (8.4 ± 0.5 versus 9.4 ±0.6 ml/min/beat) significantly (p<0.001) improved. In the long-term follow-up we objectified significant differences (p < 0.05) in anaerobic threshold (8.3 ± 0.9 versus 10.7 ± 0.9 ml/min/kg) and oxygen pulse (7.4 ± 0.5 versus 8.4 ± 0.6 ml/min/beat). Ventilatory efficiency remained unchanged during follow-up.Conclusions: Ventilatory efficiency remains unchanged by the implementation of specific pharmacotherapy in contrast to significantly improved power capacity, oxygen uptake, anaerobic threshold and oxygen pulse.