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Review
. 2024 Jun;45(6):403-410.
doi: 10.1055/a-2191-0518. Epub 2023 Oct 12.

Practical Aspects of Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing in Children

Tim Takken  1 , Erik H Hulzebos  1
Affiliations
Review

Practical Aspects of Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing in Children

Tim Takken et al. Int J Sports Med. 2024 Jun.

Abstract

The use of cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in pediatrics provides critical insights into potential physiological causes of unexplained exercise-related complaints or symptoms, as well as specific pathophysiological patterns based on physiological responses or abnormalities. Furthermore, CPET helps evaluate exercise performance in children with chronic (lung/heart) diseases. For instance, it can ascertain any adverse reaction to exercise and estimate the effects of specific treatment measures. It affords a global assessment of the pathophysiological patterns, responses and abnormalities to exercise that is inadequately reflected by resting lung function and/or cardiac function assessment. Clinical interpretation of the results of a CPET in pediatrics requires specific knowledge regarding pathophysiological responses and interpretative strategies that can be adapted to address concerns specific to the child's medical condition or disability.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The VO 2peak and VO 2peak per kilogram body mass in relation to height for boys and girls. Data reanalyzed after with permission.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Flowchart for the selection of CPET reference values.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Example of a Wasserman 9-panel plot (2012 edition 30 ) for a healthy girl. For explanations and abbreviations, see text.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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