ABSTRACT

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) makes it possible to evaluate, simultaneously, the physiological integration of the cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, musculoskeletal and neurosensory systems during exercise. CPET provides a physiological response profile that is useful for diagnosis and follow-up of patients in diverse clinical scenarios. Technological advances have facilitated the performance and interpretation of this test; however, in Mexico it is still little-utilized, in part because it is not widely-known. The objectives of this document are, first, to present a general view of the practical aspects of CPET to pneumologists and the medical community as a whole, and, second, to describe the standard procedure for successful test performance. Finally, the text elucidates basic aspects of the interpretation of test results.

KEYWORDS

Cardiopulmonary, exercise, respiratory physiology, cardiovascular.

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