Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction and Prognostic Scales: The Impact of Exercise Modality in Cardiopulmonary Exercise Tests

The cardiopulmonary exercise (CPET) test is an essential tool to determine the severity, prognosis, and need for invasive treatments in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) but disregards the exercise modality. The present study aimed at analyzing the differences between treadmill and cycle-ergometer exercises. This was a prospective study, involving 65 patients with HfrEF who performed treadmill exercise followed by cycle-ergometer exercise 72 h later. We enrolled 65 patients, aged 58 ± 9 years, with an ejection fraction of 29 ± 9%. Peak VO2 was 20% greater (95% CI: 18–21%; p 2 slope (32 ± 8 vs. 34 ± 9; p p p 2 and VE/VCO2, impact prognostic scales and possible advanced treatments; therefore, the results should be interpreted in accordance with the exercise modality