Correlation of anthropometric index and cardiopulmonary exercise testing in children with pectus excavatum.

Abstract Background Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is a method used to evaluate functional impairment of patients with various diseases. Objective The objective was to use CPET to estimate the usability of anthropometric index (AI) in patients with pectus excavatum (PE) as a marker of functional impairment caused by chest deformity. Methods The study included 32 paediatric patients (28 males) with PE. Patients underwent CPET using a breath-by-breath exhaled gas analysis method and continuous monitoring of cardiac parameters. Results In both groups, two (overall four) patients met criteria for cardiogenic limitation (low VO2 and low O2Pulse). Mean VO2/WR was below two standard deviations (2SD) in patients with less severe PE; other observed parameters were within normal limits (Z-score ± 2 SD). The AI had no observed correlation with peak ventilation, VO2peak and peak workload. Conclusion The obtained CPET data do not correlate well with the severity of chest deformity expressed with AI. There were similar physical activity limitations in both examined groups of patients and they did not depend on the severity of the deformity.