Impact of global hemodynamic load on exercise capacity in aortic stenosis

Abstract: Background: The determinants of maximal exercise capacity (MEC) in aortic stenosis (AS) are, in large part, unknown. We hypothesized that the left ventricular (LV) global hemodynamic load – as assessed by the valvulo-arterial impedance (Zva) – is one of the main determinants of MEC and we sought to evaluate the factors associated with reduced MEC in AS.Method and results: Asymptomatic patients with moderate or severe AS (n=62, aortic valve area 50%) were prospectively referred for comprehensive resting echocardiography and cardiopulmonary exercise test. Absolute peak VO2 was 19.5±5.7mL/kg/min (median 19.6mL/kg/min; range 7.2–33.1mL/kg/min). There were significant correlations between peak VO2 and: age, body mass index, LV stroke volumes, cardiac output, mean flow rate, mitral annulus s′ and e′ wave velocities, E/e′ ratio and left atrial diameter (all p
Source: International Journal of Cardiology - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research