Physiological responses in the cardiopulmonary exercise test to arm and leg in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH)

Introduction: Chronic thromboembolic hypertension (CTEPH) patients present decreased aerobic capacity during cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) with lower limbs (LL). It is not known if CTEPH patients present the same decreased aerobic capacity during upper limbs (UL) test. Objective: To investigate the response of a UL maximal test on cycloergometer in CTEPH patients and control group and compare to a CPET. Methods: The cross-sectional study including 33 CTEPH patients (54.5% male, 46.5 ± 14.2 years, 33% NYHA FC III and IV) and 22 controls (40.9% male, 39.8 ± 10.9 years). All patients underwent a UL and LL CPET cycloergometer measuring ventilation and gas exchange at peak exercise. Results: The oxygen consuption (VO2) of a UL maximal test of CTEPH patients (815.9 ± 212.7 mL/min) was lower than controls (1066.8 ± 340.2 mL/min) (p=0.004) and corresponded to 76% of the control group. The UL VO2 of CTEPH patients corresponded to 86% of their VO2max in a CPET and to 68% in the control group (p Conclusion: The aerobic capacity of UL in CTEPH patients is lower than a matched sex and age control group and worse physiological responses were observed in the CTEPH patients.