Prognosis of cardiorespiratory capacity in heart failure by exercise testing: Narrative review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62827/eb.v24i4.4080Keywords:
Walk Test; Heart Failure; Functional Status; Exercise Test; Prognosis.Abstract
Introduction: Heart disease, such as heart failure, is a global problem with high morbidity and mortality. The six-minute walk test is a useful and low-cost tool for assessing the functional capacity of these patients. This review explores the use of the six-minute walk test, including indications, contraindications, and methodological criteria, to aid in the prognosis of the condition. Objective: To demonstrate the importance of the Six-Minute Walk Test as a tool for assessing cardiorespiratory capacity and predicting outcomes in patients with heart failure. Methods: This is a narrative literature review based on a search of databases Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (Lilacs) and PubMed, using descriptors in both Portuguese and English related to heart disease, heart failure, cardiopulmonary testing, and the six-minute walk test. Studies published between 1999 and 2024 were selected. Results: Predictors in the elderly were observed, protocols were compared in patients with heart disease, and predictive equations were developed for the Brazilian population and the impact of BMI on lung function in children with asthma was analyzed. The findings highlight the importance of the 6MWT in functional assessment, prediction of peak VO2, and identification of performance-related factors in diverse populations. The study categories include heart failure, COPD/asthma, and normative studies. Conclusion: The Six-Minute Walk Test is a practical, accessible, and valuable prognostic tool in clinical practice, particularly for patients with heart failure. Despite its proven effectiveness, it has limitations related to the influence of anthropometric characteristics and the lack of more precise hemodynamic data. Therefore, standardizing the test and encouraging further research to improve its applicability, considering the specificities of cardiac patients, is essential.
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Copyright (c) 2025 André Custódio da Silva, Adalgiza Mafra Moreno, Luiz Felipe Pereira de Souza, Andrey Rocha Lopes, José Alexandre Odir Golim, Wilson Gomes Costa, Sérgio Chermont, Manoel Gonçalves Neto, Vanney da Silveira Rocha, Marco Orsini (Autor)
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