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Updated: Jul 14, 2025

Effects of Surgical Masks on Cardiopulmonary Function in Healthy Subjects
Published on: February 12, 2021
Lack of effect of an in-line filter on cardiopulmonary exercise testing variables in healthy subjects
Asghar Abbasi1, Khadije Ahmad2, Carrie Ferguson3
1Division of Respiratory and Critical Care Physiology and Medicine, Department of Medicine, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, 1124 W Carson St, CDCRC Building, Torrance, CA, 90502, USA. asghar.abbasi@lundquist.org.
Purpose:
Pathogen transmission during cardio-pulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is caused by carrier aerosols generated during respiration.
Methods:
Ten healthy volunteers (age range: 34 ± 15; 4 females) were recruited to see if the physiological reactions to ramp-incremental CPET on a cycle ergometer were affected using an in-line filter placed between the mouthpiece and the flow sensor. The tests were in random order with or without an in-line bacterial/viral spirometer filter. The work rate aligned, time interpolated 10 s bin data were compared throughout the exercise period.
Results:
From rest to peak exercise, filter use increased only minute ventilation ([Formula: see text]E) (Δ[Formula: see text]E = 1.56 ± 0.70 L/min, P < 0.001) and tidal volume (VT) (ΔVT = 0.10 ± 0.11 L, P = 0.014). Over the entire test, the slope of the residuals for [Formula: see text]CO2 was positive (0.035 ± 0.041 (ΔL/L), P = 0.027). During a ramp-incremental CPET in healthy subjects, an in-line filter increased [Formula: see text]E and VT but not metabolic rate.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, using an in-line filter is feasible, does not affect appreciably the physiological variables, and may mitigate risk of aerosol dispersion during CPET.
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