Contribution of respiratory gas exchanges assessment in heart failure rehabilitation

Introduction The cardiorespiratory exercise test provides valuable information in a rehabilitation program for chronic heart failure. It initially allows objective measurement of the patient's functional capacity by measuring VO 2  and ventilatory threshold. The description of respiratory adaptations gives informations on ventilatory efficiency and the existence of inadequate hyperventilation. Method This objective description of the performance and exercise tolerance will allow: to select patients to rehabilitate, provide prognostic information, choose retraining protocol best suited to the patient's situation, ensure monitoring by quantifying improved performance and tolerance to exercise and if necessary read just the terms of the retraining program. Results The contribution of this type of evaluation will be detailed in the different perspectives mentioned using concrete examples. These objective measures achieved in strict conditions allow to assess, select, guide and reassure, encourage patients to optimize their rehabilitation program. Conclusion The interest of the evaluation of endurance by measuring VO 2  and ventilatory threshold can be demonstrated at various stages of heart failure patients rehabilitation course.