title: A four-minute submaximal constant work rate exercise test to assess cardiovascular functional class in chronic heart failure.
abstract: To develop a submaximal constant work rate exercise test able to grade cardiovascular dysfunction in patients with chronic heart failure, 80 patients and 59 control subjects performed a symptom-limited incremental exercise test and a constant work rate exercise test at a fixed work rate (50 W for 4 minutes). The time constant of VO2 at the start of constant work rate exercise and time for gas exchange ratio (respiratory exchange ratio) to equal 1 were independent predictors of cardiovascular functional class and correctly classified the functional class in 89 +/- 9% and 83 +/- 11% of patients, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Ospedale Cardiologico G. M. Lancisi, Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Belardinelli
authors.forename: Y Y
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wasserman
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Purcaro
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Agostoni
mesh_terms: D002303:Cardiac Output, Low / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D013318:Stroke Volume