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Sex differences on peak oxygen uptake in heart failure
Patricia Palau1, Eloy Domínguez1, Julio Núñez2
1Cardiology Department, Hospital General Universitario de Castellón, Universitat Jaume I, Castellón, Spain.
ESC Heart Failure
|July 21, 2019
Summary
Peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2) is vital for heart failure (HF) risk assessment, but studies often exclude women. More research is needed to understand its clinical utility for women with HF.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Women comprise nearly half of the heart failure (HF) population but are underrepresented in clinical studies.
- Peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2) is a key metric for assessing functional capacity and prognosis in HF.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing evidence on the utility of peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2) for clinical stratification in women with HF.
- To identify gaps in knowledge regarding sex differences in peak VO2 and its application in HF management.
Main Methods:
- This narrative review synthesizes evidence on cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) for HF stratification.
- It examines determinants of aerobic capacity and sex-specific peak VO2 data in various HF types.
Main Results:
- Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) provides valuable prognostic information in HF patients.
- The application of peak VO2 for risk stratification is limited, particularly excluding women, the elderly, and HF patients with preserved ejection fraction.
Conclusions:
- Peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2) has established prognostic value in heart failure (HF).
- Significant gender gaps exist in research utilizing cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) for risk assessment and management in women with HF.
- Further studies are crucial to address these disparities and enhance the clinical utility of peak VO2 in women with HF.
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