[Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) – indication and clinical impact].

Dyspnoea is a common symptom of exercice intolerance. Tests performed at rest often leave the reason open. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is a tool for the qualitative and quantitative assessment of the cardio-circulatory, pulmonary and metabolic response to exercise. It is the gold-standard in the evaluation of dyspnoea and identifying its etiology (obstructive/restrictive lung disease, heart failure, physical fitness …). CPET is particularly useful, if previous evaluations including history, physical examination, ECG, pulmonary function testing (PFT), X-ray, blood tests, and blood gases do not lead to a decisive diagnosis. The measurement of peak oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, minute ventilation and heart rate provides substantial diagnostic and prognostic information in a wide variety of clinical settings. Interpreting CPET requires pathophysiological knowledge and can sometimes be challenging. An easy-to-use algorithm may provide a useful assistance for interpretation the results. In addition to its use as a diagnostic tool, CPET can be used to support sportsmen reaching their training goals and evaluate subject's ability to work.