FIGURE 3. CENTRAL ILLUSTRATION One-year Survival and Baseline Peak V_O2.

This study examined the strength of the association among variables measured during a cardiopulmonary exercise test and all-cause mortality in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Peak oxygen uptake (peak V_O2) was the strongest predictor of mortality among men and exercise duration among women. When comparing baseline peak V_O2, 1-year probability of survival curve as determined using a Cox proportional hazards model varies between men and women. At a peak V_O2 of 11 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹, the estimated 1-year mortality rate is <4% in women versus ~10% in men. Vertical bars represent 95% confidence intervals.