Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2026
Home-Based Prescribed Pulmonary Exercise in Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Published on: August 24, 2019
Comparison between cardiopulmonary exercise testing parameters and computed tomography findings in patients with
Agnaldo José Lopes1, Sara Lucia Silveira de Menezes, Cristina Márcia Dias
1Laboratory of Respiratory Physiology, University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, and Rehabilitation Science Graduate Program, Augusto Motta University, Rua Araguaia, 1266, bloco 1/405, Freguesia, Jacarepaguá, 22745-271, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. phel.lop@uol.com.br
Background:
Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is a safe and clinically useful method to assess functional capacity and to follow disease progression and the response to treatment in several clinical conditions.
Aim:
We set out to determine the relationship between outcome measures of CPET and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings in thoracic sarcoidosis.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was carried out in which 42 nonsmoking outpatients (22 females; median age = 46.5 years) were evaluated. All the patients underwent pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and CPET. By using CPET, the most probable causes of exercise limitation were separated into respiratory mechanics (n = 25) and cardiovascular (n = 17). By using HRCT, the following patterns were recorded: predominant nodules (n = 18), predominant ground-glass opacity (n = 10), and predominant traction bronchiectasis and honeycombing (n = 14).
Results:
Although significant differences have been shown for both PFT parameters and CPET results, only the latter were able to distinguish between patients with ground-glass opacity and patients with traction bronchiectasis and honeycombing on HRCT. A statistically significant difference was found for peak VO(2), breathing reserve, and P(A-a)O(2) when patients with predominant traction bronchiectasis and honeycombing were compared to patients with other HRCT patterns (p < 0.0001). There was no statistical difference among the patterns with abnormal CPET and the patterns of abnormalities on HRCT (p > 0.05).
Conclusion:
The functional capacity assessed by CPET was strongly influenced by HRCT patterns in sarcoidosis. Patients with traction bronchiectasis and honeycombing have lower exercise capacity measured by CPET.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System V: CT
01:27Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies
Medical History
01:20Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System III: X-Ray
Definition and Purpose
An X-ray, or radiograph, is a non-invasive method that uses ionizing radiation to take images of internal structures. It is mainly used in cardiac imaging to examine the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels, aiming to identify abnormalities in the heart's size, shape, and position, such as heart failure, congenital defects, and vascular...
01:13Radiological Investigation III: Pulmonary Angiogram and PET Scan
Pulmonary Angiogram
A Pulmonary Angiogram is an invasive procedure involving injecting a contrast medium through a catheter threaded into the pulmonary artery or the right side of the heart to visualize the pulmonary vasculature. Computed Tomography (CT) scans have mainly replaced this...
01:25Pulmonary Function Tests
Pulmonary Function Tests are crucial diagnostic tools for assessing respiratory function, particularly in patients with chronic respiratory disorders. They comprehensively evaluate lung volumes, ventilatory function, breathing mechanics, diffusion, and gas exchange. These tests help diagnose pulmonary diseases and play a significant role in monitoring disease progression, evaluating disability, and assessing response to therapy.
PFTs involve using a spirometer, a...
01:30Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies