Table 3.

Interpretive results using the algorithm.

Pulmonary limitation to exercise

A. No pulmonary limitation or decreased effort or cardiac limitation

B. Mild diffusion type limitation

C. Mild gas exchange abnormality

D. Mild gas exchange abnormality and diffusion-type limitation

E. Mild ventilatory mechanical limitation

F. Mild ventilatory mechanical limitation and diffusion-type limitation

G. Mild ventilatory mechanical limitation and gas exchange abnormality

H. Mild ventilatory mechanical limitation and gas exchange abnormality and diffusion-type limitation

I. Decreased effort or cardiac limitation

J. Moderate or severe diffusion-type limitation

K. Moderate or severe gas exchange abnormality

L. Moderate or severe gas exchange abnormality and diffusion-type limitation

M. Moderate or severe ventilatory mechanical limitation

N. Moderate or severe ventilatory mechanical limitation and diffusion-type limitation

O. Moderate or severe ventilatory mechanical limitation and gas exchange abnormality

P. Moderate or severe ventilatory mechanical limitation and gas exchange abnormality and diffusion type limitation.

Cardiac or circulatory limitation to exercise

Q. Moderate or severe cardiac ‘pump’ limitation (cardiomyopathy, deconditioning)

R. Cardiac pump limitation (cardiomyopathy, deconditioning)

S. Cardiac pump limitation and circulatory limitation (pulmonary vascular or peripheral vascular disease, or pump limitation

T. Moderate or severe pulmonary limitation (see J through P) or poor effort

U. No obvious cardiac or circulatory limitation

V. Circulatory limitation (pulmonary vascular or peripheral vascular disease or pump limitation

W. Ischaemic heart disease

Modified from Eschenbacher and Maninna.⁴⁵