Submaximal Heart and Pulmonary Evaluation: A Novel Noninvasive Test to Identify Pulmonary Hypertension in Patients With Systemic Sclerosis

摘要

Objective. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a leading cause of death in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma). Although right-sided heart catheterization (RHC) is the gold standard for diagnosing PH, it is an invasive test with associated risks. The submaximal heart and pulmonary evaluation (step test) is a noninvasive, submaximal stress test that could be used to identify patients with PH. The purpose of this study is to assess the correlation between change in end tidal carbon dioxide (P-ETCO2) from rest to end-exercise on the step test and mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) on RHC in SSc patients.