What else should be assessed before the test is performed?
The lead up to performing CPET is to evaluate the patient’s ventilation function by means of performing spirometry and maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV). The latter is often substituted for an indirect measure using the FEV1 x 40 (35 in former publications) which is achieved using the volume measuring part of the equipment.
The FEV1 is measured through the performance of a flow – volume loop and, if performed, the direct MVV by breathing hard and fast for 12 seconds. These measures of ventilatory capacity can be used in assessment of the exercise tolerance for ventilatory limitation. This is part of the diagnostic criteria used by Wasserman in his interpretation of CPET results.
