Cardiopulmonary exercise testing provides a predictive tool for early and late outcomes in abdominal aortic aneurysm patients

INTRODUCTIONThe aim of this study was to determine if cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) predicts 30-day and midterm outcomes when assessing suitability for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. METHODSSince July 2006 consecutive patients from a single centre identified with a large (≥5.5cm) AAA were sent for CPET. Follow-up was completed on 1 August 2009. Univariate logistical regression was used to compare CPET parameters with the Detsky score, the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score and the Vascular Physiological and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and morbidity (VPOSSUM) in predicting predefined early and late outcome measures. RESULTSFull data were available for 102 patients (93% male, median age: 75 years, interquartile range (IQR): 70–80 years, median follow up: 28 months, IQR: 18–33 months). Ventilatory equivalents for oxygen and APACHE II predicted postoperative inotrope requirement (p=0.018 and p=0.019 respectively). The Detsky score ...