Exercise capacity in borderline mean pulmonary artery pressure: Is it all about peak VO2?

Abstract

We read with interest the paper of Jiang R et\xa0al regarding cardiopulmonary exercise responses among patients with borderline mean pulmonary artery pressure (boPAP) [1]. Previous data indicate that patients with mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) levels between 21-24 mm Hg may consist a high-risk group that should be closely monitored, since they present with functional impairment [2] and increased mortality [2, 3], compared to those without pulmonary hypertension (PH), while a significant proportion of these subjects develop overt PH during follow-up [3]. However, data on specific exercise characteristics which may consist a distinct cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) pattern which could discriminate patients with boPAP from those with or without PH, are currently scarce. Under this scope, the study of Jiang R et\xa0al [1] adds novel information to this direction. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.