TABLE 1.

Contraindications and premature termination during cardiopulmonary exercise testing in patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Contraindications
Absolute
Recent significant change in resting ECG reflecting significant ischaemia, recent myocardial infarction (within 2 days) or other acute cardiac event Unstable angina Uncontrolled cardiac arrhythmias causing symptoms or haemodynamic compromise Syncope Active endocarditis, myocarditis or pericarditis Active pulmonary embolus or pulmonary infarction Symptomatic severe aortic stenosis Uncontrolled symptomatic heart failure Suspected dissecting or leaking aortic aneurysm Uncontrolled asthma Arterial desaturation at rest on normoxic room air, $S_{\mathrm{p}{\mathrm{O}}_2}$ < 85% Acute systemic infection, accompanied by fever, body aches or swollen lymph nodes Severe musculoskeletal compromise
Relative
Left main stem coronary stenosis Moderate stenotic valvular heart disease Electrolyte abnormalities (e.g., hypokalaemia, hypomagnesaemia) Tachyarrhythmias or bradyarrhythmias Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and other forms of outflow tract obstruction Neuromuscular, musculoskeletal or rheumatoid disorders exacerbated by exercise High‐degree atrioventricular block Ventricular aneurysm Uncontrolled metabolic disease (e.g., diabetes, thyrotoxicosis or myxoedema) Severe untreated arterial hypertension at rest (systolic BP >200 mmHg, diastolic BP >120 mmHg) Significant pulmonary hypertension Thrombosis of the lower extremity until treated for a minimum of 2 weeks Advanced or complicated pregnancy Chronic infectious disease (e.g., mononucleosis, hepatitis, AIDS) Mental or physical impairment leading to inability to exercise adequately
Early termination
Angina >2 mm ST depression if symptomatic or 4 mm if asymptomatic or >1 mm ST elevation Significant arrhythmias causing symptoms or haemodynamic compromise Fall in systolic blood pressure >20 mmHg from the highest value during the test Hypertension (systolic BP ≥210 mmHg in males or ≥190 mmHg in females or diastolic BP ≥110 mmHg in males or females) Severe arterial desaturation: $S_{\mathrm{p}{\mathrm{O}}_2}$ < 80% (lower may be accepted in patients with known underlying lung disease) Loss of coordination Mental confusion Dizziness or faintness

Abbreviations: AIDS, acquired immune deficiency syndrome; BP, blood pressure; ECG, electrocardiogram; $S_{\mathrm{p}{\mathrm{O}}_2}$, peripheral oxygen saturation.