Abstract
Background
Methods that predict prognosis and response to therapy in pulmonary hypertension (PH) are lacking. We tested whether the noninvasive estimation of hemodynamic parameters during 6‐minute walk test (6MWT) in PH patients provides information that can improve the value of the test.
Methods
We estimated hemodynamic parameters during the 6MWT using a portable, signal‐morphology‐based, impedance cardiograph (PhysioFlow Enduro) with real‐time wireless monitoring via a bluetooth USB adapter.
Results
We recruited 48 subjects in the study (30 with PH and 18 healthy controls). PH patients had significantly lower maximum stroke volume (SV) and CI and slower cardiac output (CO) acceleration and decelerations slopes during the test when compared with healthy controls. In PH patients, CI change was associated with total distance walked (R = 0.62; P < 0.001) and percentage of predicted (R = 0.4, P = 0.03), HR recovery at 1 minute (0.57, P < 0.001), 2 minutes (0.65, P < 0.001), and 3 minutes (0.66, P < 0.001). Interestingly, in PH patients CO change during the test was predominantly related to an increase in SV instead of HR.
Conclusions
Estimation of hemodynamic parameters such as cardiac index during 6‐minute walk test is feasible and may provide useful information in patients with PH. Clin Trans Sci 2013; Volume #: 1–7
Keywords: cardiac output, 6‐minute walk test, pulmonary hypertension
Introduction
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a condition characterized by elevated pulmonary pressure that can lead to right heart failure and death.1 There is a pressing need to identify affordable noninvasive methodologies that can provide accurate information on severity of disease, prognosis, and response to therapy. Traditionally, 6‐minute walk test (6MWT) has been the examination of choice to assess response to treatments in PH and therefore the most common primary endpoint of studies that evaluated therapies in PH.2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Recent investigations have questioned its value, because change in 6MWT distance after treatment was not a predictor of hospitalization for PH, need for PH rescue therapy, lung transplantation, or mortality.11, 12 However, supporters of the 6MWT express that it is a measure of exercise capacity and argue that this tool was never intended to be a surrogate for pulmonary hemodynamics or severity of pulmonary vascular disease.13 In view of these limitations, investigators have made efforts to increase the ability of the 6MWT to predict clinical outcomes with moderate success.14, 15
To enhance the information, obtained from this simple and commonly used examination, we performed noninvasive estimations of a variety of hemodynamic parameters using a signal morphology‐based impedance cardiograph. Impedance cardiography16 is a well‐studied methodology that is based on the Ohm's law that states that when a constant current travels through a conductor, changes in voltage are directly proportional to variations in impedance.17 Bio‐impedance decreases across the chest during systole as a result of an increase in aortic blood volume and flow velocity.
We have previously demonstrated the value of signal morphology based impedance cardiography in patients with PH using the PhysioFlow Lab1 (Manatec Biomedical, Paris, France), a device that calculates stroke volume (SV) independently of baseline impedance,16 a source of inaccuracies in the measurements. We found that the cardiac output (CO) estimated by this device had a high consistency, acceptable accuracy, and precision when compared with thermodilution.16 In support of our findings, other investigators have tested a similar technology called bioreactance in patients with PH and found it to be precise and reliable in measuring CO.18
In the present study, we obtained real‐time noninvasive estimations of hemodynamic parameters during 6MWT using a portable and miniaturized version of the PhysioFlow lab1, called Physioflow Enduro (Manatec Biomedical). We compared measurements obtained in patients with PH and age‐ and gender‐matched healthy controls. In both groups we determined the extent of increase in CO during the walk, and evaluated the unique contribution of SV and heart rate (HR) to this increase. In addition, we tested whether the hemodynamic estimations by impedance cardiography are associated with severity of PH disease. Preliminary results of this study have been previously reported in the form of abstracts.19, 20
Methods
This prospective study was approved by the Cleveland Clinic Institutional Review Board (study number 11–226). Written informed consent was obtained from all subjects before enrollment. Patients were asked to participate before the 6MWT. The study was performed between August 2011 and November 2012. The 6MWT was ordered by the patients’ pulmonary physicians as an initial or follow‐up assessment of their PH. We included patients with PH confirmed by right heart catheterization (RHC; n = 30) and healthy controls (n = 18) matched for age and gender. Patients on PH‐specific therapies and treatment naïve patients were included. Healthy controls were recruited by placing recruitment flyers in our outpatient clinic. A different group of seven healthy individuals had two 6MWTs, 30 minutes apart, to determine test–retest reliability.
We used a portable (dimensions 11.5 × 8.5 × 1.8 cm, weight of <200 g), new generation, signal morphology‐based impedance cardiograph with real‐time wireless monitoring via a bluetooth USB adapter (PhysioFlow Enduro, Paris, France; Figure 1). The basic principle of this methodology is that variations in the impedance (Z) to an alternating high‐frequency (75 KHz) and low magnitude (1.8 mA) current, across the thorax during cardiac ejection, result in a specific waveform that can be used to calculate SV.21
Figure 1.
Portable impedance cardiograph. (A) shows the device with the cable electrodes and (B) depicts the device in the custom fit pouch that helps maintains its stability during the 6‐minute walk test.
We prepped the skin with a mildly abrasive gel (NuPrep) and 70% isopropyl alcohol. Once the skin was dry we placed electrodes (pregelled Ag/AgCl, Skintact model FS‐TB wet‐gel; Leonhard Lang Gmbh, Austria) at the left base of the neck above the supraclavicular fossa (n = 2), left paraspinal muscles (close to the spine) at the level of the xyfoid process (n = 2), right upper (n = 1), and left lower chest (n = 1). All electrodes were connected to the portable impedance cardiograph via an electrode cable. We affixed the electrodes in place with paper tape (3M micropore paper tape). The impedance cardiograph was then placed in a belt pouch to maintain stability during the walk.
We connected the device to a portable computer that had a type 1 Bluetooth‐USB adapter with external antenna that supported 300 m of wireless transmission (SENA UD100 Bluetooth USB Adapter, Sena Technologies, Inc, Seoul, Korea). Once pertinent data such as age, weight, height and blood pressure were entered, the device then autocalibrated for 30 consecutive beats, a necessary process to detect the rate of variation of the impedance signal used for the calculation of the initial SV index. A detailed explanation of the methodology used has been previously published.16, 22, 23
The 6MWT was performed according to ATS standards.24 We obtained the reference standards for the distance walk during the 6MWT from Enright et al.25 Patients remained seated for approximately 10 minutes before the test (during consenting, electrode placement, and connection of the device). We then recorded impedance measurements before (2 minutes), during (6 minutes), and after the walk (3 minutes). We obtained real‐time determinations of HR, SV, CI, EF, and EDV every 15 seconds.
Absolute cardiac index change was calculated as the difference between the maximal CI during the walk and the CI at baseline. Similarly, SV change was obtained by subtracting maximal SV during the walk and SV at baseline. Heart rate and CI recovery were obtained by subtracting either the heart rate or CI at the sixth minute of the 6MWT from the values recorded at the first minute of recovery. The CO slopes were obtained from measurements obtained immediately before the walk and the first minute into the 6‐minute walk. The CO deceleration slope was obtained just before the finalization of the walk and the first minute of recovery. The method of measuring the acceleration and deceleration slopes was established before the initiation of the study. We aimed to capture the acceleration and deceleration slopes during the first minute of the walk and recovery, respectively; because these are the periods during 6MWT when the more pronounced hemodynamic changes occur. For the calculation of the slopes we used all the measurements obtained during each of the 2‐minute intervals (n = 8).
To test reproducibility seven healthy control subjects participated in two 6‐minute walk sessions separated by 30 minutes of rest. Patients were disconnected after the end of the first session and reconnected before the second test. Tests were performed under the same conditions.
Statistical analysis
Continuous variables were summarized using mean and standard deviation. The single measures intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) values were computed to assess test‐retest reliability of the measurements. An ICCs value of 1 is considered as highest reproducibility. We calculated semipartial correlations using linear regression with cardiac index change as dependent variable and HR change or SV change as covariates. We used t‐test and Fisher's exact test to compare numerical and categorical variables, respectively. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was applied to obtain means adjusted for covariates and Pearson correlation to identify the strength of association between variables. We utilized binary logistic regression to compare the hemodynamic response during 6MWT between patients with PH and matched healthy controls. All the P values were reported as two tailed. A P value of <0.05 was prespecified as indicative of statistical significance. The statistical analyses were performed using the statistical package SPSS, Version 20 (IBM; Armonk, NY, USA).
Results
Patient's characteristics
Causes of PH (n = 30) included pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH; n = 23, 76%) and others (n = 7, 24%). PAH was mainly attributed to idiopathic or heritable (n = 14) PAH (Table 1). The New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class in PH patients was 2.3 (±0.7). All but four (13%) of the patients in the PH group were receiving PH‐specific therapies. Treatments included phosphodiestearase 5‐inhibitors in 19 (63%), endothelin receptor antagonists in 17 (57%), and prostacyclin analogs in 12 (40%). Monotherapy, dual therapy and triple therapy were administered to 8 (27%), 14 (47%), and 4 (13%), respectively. Brain natriuretic peptide within 3 months of the test was 161.7 (212) pg/mL. Echocardiography within 3 months of the test revealed a mean (SD) right ventricular systolic pressure of 73 (22) mmHg. RV function was normal, mildly, moderately, or severely dysfunctional in 18%, 30%, 30%, and 22% of the patients, respectively. On RHC, performed a median (interquartile range) of 10.5 (4–25) months before the 6MWT, patients had a right atrial pressure of 9 ± 5 mmHg, mean pulmonary artery pressure of 49 ± 17 mmHg, CO of 5 ± 1.8 L/minute, CI of 2.7 ± 1 L/min/m2, and pulmonary vascular resistance of 9.3 ± 7 Wood Units.
Table 1.
Causes of PH by group
| WHO group1 | n (%) |
|---|---|
| I (PAH) | 23 (76%) |
| ‐idiopathic/heritable | 14 |
| ‐congenital heart disease | 4 |
| ‐connective tissue disease | 3 |
| ‐portopulmonary hypertension | 1 |
| ‐hemolytic disorder | 1 |
| II (Heart disease) | 2 (7%) |
| ‐left ventricular diastolic dysfunction | 2 |
| III (Lung disease) | 2 (7%) |
| ‐COPD | 2 |
| IV (CTEPH) | 1 (3%) |
| V (miscellaneous) | 2 (7%) |
| ‐sarcoidosis | 2 |
CTEPH = chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension; PAH = pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Age was 51.8 ± 15 and 49 ± 11 years for patients with PH and healthy controls, respectively (P = 0.5). Women were 70% and 56% (P = 0.3) of the patients for PH and healthy controls, respectively.
Six‐minute walk test
Traditional determinations
Results of the traditional 6MWT measurements are shown in Table 2. Compared with healthy controls, PH patients walked less with similar heart rate at rest and during the test and had reduced heart rate recovery at 1, 2, or 3 minutes. The test–retest reliability of distance walk in 6‐minute (n = 7) had an ICC (95% CI) of 0.83 (0.31–0.97). Meanwhile, maximal heart rate during the test had an ICC (95% CI) of 0.95 (0.73–0.99).
Table 2.
Traditional parameters measured during 6‐minute walk test
| Healthy controls | PH | P | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean (SD) or n (%) | Mean (SD)or n (%) | ||
| n | 18 | 30 | |
| Distance walked (m) | 560 (65) | 380 (117) | <0.001 |
| Distance walked (% of predicted) | 99 (14) | 67 (16) | <0.001 |
| Need of O2 at baseline (%) | 0 (0) | 4 (13) | 0.28 |
| Need of O2 during walking (%) | 0 (0) | 14 (47) | 0.001 |
| Borg dyspnea scale | 1.3 (1) | 3.3 (3) | 0.02 |
| Borg fatigue scale | 1.2 (1) | 2.6 (2) | 0.001 |
| HR at baseline (bpm) | 76 (14) | 83 (12) | 0.09 |
| HR at 6 minutes (bpm) | 127 (18) | 117 (20) | 0.09 |
| HR change (bpm) | 52 (23) | 44 (23) | 0.24 |
| HR recovery at 1 minute (bpm) | 31 (16) | 20 (12) | 0.01 |
| HR recovery at 2 minute (bpm) | 40 (16) | 28 (14) | 0.01 |
| HR recovery at 3 minute (bpm) | 45 (16) | 33 (16) | 0.01 |
bpm = beats per minute; HR = heart rate.
Hemodynamic determinations
PH patients had significantly lower maximum SV and CI and slower CO acceleration and decelerations slopes during the test when compared with healthy controls (Table 3). When PH patients were compared with controls using binary logistic regression, SV (OR [95% CI]: 0.94 [0.89–0.99], CI change [OR (95% CI]: 0.58 [0.35–0.94]), EDV max (OR [95%CI]: 0.98 [0.97–0.99]), EDV change (OR [95% CI]: 0.97 [0.94–0.99]), acceleration (OR [95% CI]: 0.73 [0.59–0.90]) and deceleration slopes (OR [95% CI]: 1.8 [1.2–2.7]) per 0.1 units were able to discriminate between the groups. When adjusted by distance walked EDV max (OR [95% CI]: 0.98 [0.97–0.99]) and EDV change (OR [95% CI]: 0.98 [0.96–0.99]) were the only variables that continued to be significant predictors of the presence of PH. The estimated means (SD) of the change in CI adjusted by total distance walked were 2.9 (1.4) and 3 (1.3) L/minute/m2 for the healthy control and PH groups, respectively (P = 0.77). The estimated means (SD) of the EDV change adjusted by total distance walk were 61.8 (34) and 34.9 (31) mL for the healthy controls and PH groups, respectively (P = 0.02).
Table 3.
Hemodynamic parameters measured during 6‐minute walk test
| Healthy controls | PH | P | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean (SD) | Mean (SD) | ||
| n | 18 | 30 | |
| SV at baseline (mL) | 62 (19) | 51 (17) | 0.046 |
| SV max (mL) | 95 (26) | 75 (22) | 0.006 |
| SV change (mL) | 34 (12) | 24 (14) | 0.02 |
| CI at baseline (L/minute/m2) | 2.3 (0.9) | 2.3 (0.7) | 0.81 |
| CI max (L/minute/m2) | 5.9 (1.7) | 4.9 (1.5) | 0.04 |
| CI change (L/minute/m2) | 3.6 (1.4) | 2.6 (1.2) | 0.02 |
| CI recovery at 1 minute (L/minute/m2) | 1.7 (1) | 0.6 (0.6) | <0.001 |
| CO acceleration slope (L/minute/second) | 0.08 (0.04) | (0.03) | 0.001 |
| CO deceleration slope (L/minute/second) | −0.06 (0.03) | −0.02 (0.03) | <0.001 |
| EF at baseline (%) | 48 (17) | 44 (13) | 0.32 |
| EF max (%) | 60 (16) | 55 (16) | 0.27 |
| EF change (%) | 12 (4) | 11 (8) | 0.59 |
| EDV at baseline | 135 (31) | 126 (43) | 0.42 |
| EDV max | 195 (46) | 161 (46) | 0.02 |
| EDV change | 59 (30) | 36 (27) | 0.007 |
CI = cardiac index; CO = cardiac output; EDV = end‐diastolic volume; EF = ejection fraction; LVET = left ventricular ejection time; SV = stroke volume.
In PH individuals, CO variation was predominantly associated with changes in SV rather than heart rate as suggested by a higher standardized beta coefficient and semi‐partial correlations. SV change and HR change uniquely explained 66% and 29% of the CO change variance accounted. The rest of the variance was explained by overlap of the variables SV and heart rate change. To the contrary, in healthy volunteers the contribution of HR and SV was more balanced with a greater degree of overlap (Table 4).
Table 4.
Linear regression using cardiac index change as dependent variable and HR change or SV change as covariates
| Healthy controls | PH | |
|---|---|---|
| HR change standardized beta coefficient | 0.5 | 0.54 |
| SV change standardized beta coefficient | 0.59 | 0.82 |
| HR change semipartial correlation | 0.43 | 0.54 |
| SV change semipartial correlation | 0.51 | 0.81 |
| HR change unique contribution to CO change (%) | 18 | 29 |
| SV change unique contribution to CO change (%) | 26 | 66 |
CO = cardiac output; HR = heart rare; SV = stroke volume.
The baseline CO ICC (95% CI) for single measures was 0.91 (0.56–0.98) with a coefficient of variation of 5.7%. Maximal CO and SV during exercise as well as acceleration slope had ICCs (95% CI) of 0.92 (0.62–0.98), 0.97 (0.83–0.99), and 0.88 (0.46–0.98), respectively.
Comparison of traditional versus cardiac index change during 6MWT
In patients with PH, CI change was associated with distance walked either in absolute value (R = 0.62; P < 0.001) or percent of predicted (R = 0.4; P = 0.03; Table 5). CI change was not associated with HR at baseline (R = −0.01; P = 0.98) but with maximal HR (R = 0.48; P = 0.007) and HR recovery at 1 minute (0.57, P < 0.001), 2 minutes (0.65, P < 0.001) and 3 minutes (0.66, P < 0.001).
Table 5.
Correlation matrix between CI change and traditional 6‐minute walk parameters
| Healthy controls | PH | |
|---|---|---|
| R (p) | R (p) | |
| N | 18 | 30 |
| Distance walked (m) | 0.17 (0.5) | 0.62 (<0.001) |
| Distance walked (% of predicted) | 0.5 (0.04) | 0.40 (0.03) |
| HR at baseline | −0.38 (0.13) | −0.01 (0.98) |
| HR max | 0.59 (0.01) | 0.48 (0.007) |
| HR recovery at 1 minute | 0.77 (<0.001) | 0.57 (0.001) |
| HR recovery at 2 minute | 0.69 (0.002) | 0.65 (<0.001) |
| HR recovery at 3 minute | 0.64 (0.004) | 0.66 (<0.001) |
HR = heart rate.
Distance walked in 6‐minute and impedance cardiography determinations
Total distance walked and percentage of predicted were associated with HR at 6 minutes (R‐0.52, P = 0.007 and R = 0.52, P = 0.001, respectively), HR change (R = 0.43; P = 0.02) and HR recovery at 1 minute (R = 0.64, P < 0.001 and R = 0.39, P = 0.032, respectively), HR recovery at 2 minutes and 3 minutes (R = 0.66, P < 0.001; R = 0.69, P < 0.001, respectively). Total distance walked was also associated with the CO acceleration and decelerations slopes (R = 0.51, P = 0.005; R = −0.4, P = 0.03), maximal CI (R = 0.44; P = 0.014), and CI change (R = 0.62; P < 0.001). When HR recovery in 1 minute and CI change were included in a liner regression model both variables remained significant predictors of the distance walked at 6 minutes (data not shown).
Comparison of impedance cardiography determinations with indicators of PH disease severity
NYHA functional class was inversely associated with maximal CI (R = −0.44; P = 0.02), acceleration slope (R = −0.39; P = 0.04), CI recovery in 1 minute (R = −0.48; P = 0.01), CI change (R = −0.48; P = 0.01). NYHA class was directly associated with deceleration slope (R = 0.46; P = 0.01). No significant associations were identified between BNP and estimated hemodynamic parameters; however, there was a suggestion of an indirect association with acceleration slope (R= −0.34; P = 0.1) and CI change (R= −0.32; P = 0.1). Similarly, there was a suggestion that CI recovery at 1 minute (3.3 vs. 4.2 L/minute/m2; P = 0.06) was lower in patients with moderate or severe RV dysfunction than those with normal RV function or mild dysfunction. Right ventricular systolic pressure estimated by echocardiography was not associated with impedance cardiography determinations during 6MWT. Even though the RHC was performed a median of 10.5 months before the 6MWT, we found that the thermodilution CO during RHC directly correlated with 6MWT maximal CO (R = 0.42; P = 0.03), acceleration slope (R = 0.59; P = 0.002), CO change (R = 0.54; P = 0.004), and CO recovery in 1 minute (R = 0.43; P = 0.035). Right atrial pressure, mean pulmonary artery pressure, and pulmonary vascular resistance were not associated with parameters estimated by impedance cardiography during 6MWT. PH patients were followed a median (interquartile range) of 19 (8–21) months and all but one patient were alive up to June 2013. The PH patient that died during follow‐up had low maximal CI (3.5 L/minute/m2), CI change (1.2 L/minute/m2), and CI recovery in 1 minute (0.5 L/minute/m2) during 6MWT.
Discussion
Although the 6MWT is an easy to perform, inexpensive, reproducible, and safe method for assessing functional exercise capacity in patients with different lung diseases,26 it has limitations both in clinical practice and research.27, 28 There is a need to discover new methods that can accurately predict prognosis and treatment response in PH. Recent advances in technology permitted the development of a portable, signal morphology‐based impedance cardiograph that can continuously measure a variety of hemodynamic parameters such as CI. In this pilot study, we showed that is possible to incorporate this novel and noninvasive technology as part of the traditional 6MWT. Impedance cardiography provided real‐time estimations of several hemodynamic parameters during 6MWT. In addition, this study showed that in PH patients variations in SV are of critical importance in explaining the CO increases during the test. Our study has also confirmed the reliability of PhysioFlow measurements during 6MWT in addition to the previously demonstrated validity compared to hemodynamic measurements obtained during a RHC at rest.22, 29, 30
CO is commonly impaired during activities in patients with PH, despite relatively normal values at rest.31 During 6MWT, PH patients walked less distance, had lower HR recovery values, maximum SV and CI change as well as slower acceleration and decelerations CO slopes compared with healthy controls. In support of our findings, a study on exercise showed slower increases and decreases in oxygen consumption in PH patients than in matched controls.32 The attenuated rise and decline in CO can be because of autonomic imbalance and/or pulmonary vascular alteration that affect the SV.33, 34 Interestingly, a study in PH patients using impedance cardiography (PhysioFlow Lab1) during incremental cardiopulmonary exercise test on a cycle ergometer showed that lower absolute changes in SV and CI were related with death and atrial septostomy.21
Distance walked at 6‐minute was associated with chronotropic response (HR at 6 minute and HR change) and CI changes, as observed by other investigators.35, 36 Interestingly, the differences in hemodynamic parameters between patients with PH and healthy controls disappeared when adjusted by distance walked, except for EDV that remained significantly lower in PH patients than controls. Lower EDV may reflect a worse hemodynamic state characterized by a decrease in the left ventricular size because of negative left‐to‐right transseptal pressure gradient.37 This left ventricular underfilling may affect cardiac performance by decreasing the CI during exercise.38
Heart rate recovery, a determination that has proven to be of value in PH,14, 39 had a good direct association with CO change during the test. Lower heart rate recovery likely represents an autonomic imbalance with increase sympathetic drive and impaired parasympathetic activity,40, 41 in part explained by a decrease in CO among other factors.39
The standard 6MWT does not provide any insight into the mechanisms of exercise limitation. The factors that limit exercise capacity include an imbalance between the oxygen requirements and supply. In patients with PH the peak SV during exercise is limited by the increase in pulmonary artery pressure.42, 43, 44 We observed a predominant unique contribution of SV to CO change in patients with PH compared to controls. A study comparing the results of 6MWT with cardiopulmonary exercise in PH patients showed that the O2 pulse, a surrogate of SV, was lower in patients with PH than in controls and it directly correlated with distance walked, thus limitations in the latter may be a reflection of insufficient systemic O2 delivery during the activity,26 and/or a reflection of impaired oxygen utilization because of reduced mitochondrial function.45
We tested whether the hemodynamic estimations provided by impedance cardiography during 6MWT were associated with traditional variables that predict severity of disease in PH. In addition to 6MW distance, we found that NYHA functional class had a good association with impedance cardiography determinations. Interestingly, CO measured during RHC was associated with CO change, acceleration slope and recovery at 1 minute. Even though this was not the main aim of our study, we found a suggestion that hemodynamic estimations by impedance cardiography during 6MWT may track with disease severity, supporting that this test is worthy of further investigations to better clarify its clinical role in PH.
Our study has limitations. (1) some of the comparisons may be underpowered to detect a difference; however, the main purpose of this pilot study was to test the feasibility of incorporating this noninvasive methodology to an established examination and determine the relative contribution of HR and SV to CO change during 6MWT, (2) the study was not designed to test whether portable impedance cardiography can predict the severity of disease or response to treatment, and (3) most of the PH patients were receiving PH‐specific treatment thus the results observed in this group of patients are not applicable to treatment naïve individuals.
Conclusions
Estimation of hemodynamic parameters such us cardiac index during 6MWT is feasible and reliable. In patients with PH, SV plays a more predominant role in the CO increase during 6MWT than heart rate. Further studies are necessary to test whether absolute changes in SV and CI during 6MWT can provide useful information regarding prognosis and response to therapy in PH patients.
Conflict of Interest
Adriano R. Tonelli, M.D.: The author has no significant conflicts of interest with any companies or organization whose products or services may be discussed in this paper.
Laith Alkukhun, M.D.: The author has no significant conflicts of interest with any companies or organization whose products or services may be discussed in this paper.
Vineesha Arelli, M.D.: The author has no significant conflicts of interest with any companies or organization whose products or services may be discussed in this paper.
José Ramos, B.S., R.R.T.: The author has no significant conflicts of interest with any companies or organization whose products or services may be discussed in this paper.
Jennie Newman, L.P.N.: The author has no significant conflicts of interest with any companies or organization whose products or services may be discussed in this paper.
Kevin McCarthy, R.P.F.T.: The author has no significant conflicts of interest with any companies or organization whose products or services may be discussed in this paper.
Bohdan Pichurko, M.D.: The author has no significant conflicts of interest with any companies or organization whose products or services may be discussed in this paper.
Omar A. Minai, M.D.: Member Scientific Advisory Board: Actelion, Gilead, United Therapeutics, Pfizer and Bayer. Member Speakers Bureau: Actelion, Gilead and United Therapeutics.
Raed A. Dweik, M.D.: The author has no significant conflicts of interest with any companies or organization whose products or services may be discussed in this paper.
Sources of Funding
This publication was made possible by CTSA KL2 [Grant # RR024990] (A.R.T.) from the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and NIH Roadmap for Medical Research. Manatec Biomedical, the makers of PhysioFlow Enduro had no role in the design of the study, data collection or analysis, or in the manuscript preparation. The company provided the equipment for testing and technical support.
Contributions of authors
Adriano R. Tonelli, M.D.: Participated in the design of the study, data collection, statistical analysis, interpretation of the results, writing and critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content and final approval of the manuscript submitted. Dr Tonelli is the guarantor of the paper, taking responsibility for the integrity of the work as a whole, from inception to published paper.
Laith Alkukhun, M.D.: Participated in the data collection, interpretation of the results and critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content and final approval of the manuscript submitted.
Vineesha Arelli, M.D.: Participated in the data collection, interpretation of the results and critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content and final approval of the manuscript submitted.
José Ramos, B.S., R.R.T.: Participated in the data collection, interpretation of the results and critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content and final approval of the manuscript submitted.
Jennie Newman, L.P.N.: Participated in the data collection, interpretation of the results and critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content and final approval of the manuscript submitted.
Kevin McCarthy, R.P.F.T.: Participated in the data collection, interpretation of the results and critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content and final approval of the manuscript submitted.
Bohdan Pichurko, M.D.: Participated in the interpretation of the results and critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content and final approval of the manuscript submitted.
Omar A. Minai, M.D.: Participated in the interpretation of the results and critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content and final approval of the manuscript submitted.
Raed A. Dweik, M.D.: Participated in the design of the study, interpretation of the results, writing and critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content and final approval of the manuscript submitted.
Acknowledgments
We appreciate the invaluable help provided by the pulmonary function test laboratory personnel at Cleveland Clinic that made this study possible. We are thankful with Manatec Biomedical for providing us with PhysioFlow Enduro and technical assistance.
Abstract presentations: Preliminary results of this study have been previously reported in the form of abstracts at the American Thoracic Association and the Clinical and Translational Science meetings in 2012.
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