VO₂ Max in Clinical Cardiology: Clinical Applications, Evidence Gaps, and Future Directions

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Cardiorespiratory Fitness
• Clinical Diagnostics

Background:

• VO₂ max is a key indicator of cardiorespiratory fitness.
• It holds significant prognostic and diagnostic value in cardiology.
• Current clinical application is limited by specialized equipment needs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current and emerging evidence on the clinical uses of VO₂ max.
• To identify evidence gaps and explore new developments for broader application.
• To highlight VO₂ max's role in predicting cardiovascular diseases.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of current and emerging scientific literature.
• Review of technological advancements in VO₂ max estimation.
• Examination of VO₂ max's predictive power across various cardiac conditions.

Main Results:

• VO₂ max is an independent predictor for heart failure, coronary artery disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and cardiac amyloidosis.
• Machine learning and wearable devices show promise for accessible VO₂ estimation.
• Despite proven value, VO₂ max assessment is underutilized in routine care.

Conclusions:

• VO₂ max is vital for identifying high-risk cardiovascular patients.
• Technological innovations can overcome current barriers to VO₂ max assessment.
• Further research and evidence-based protocols are needed for wider clinical implementation to improve cardiovascular outcomes.