Factors Influencing the Availability of Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing for Patients Undergoing Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in Japan

Background

This study aimed to investigate the implementation rate of cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) or cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillator (CRT-D), as well as the associated factors, using real-world data.

Methods and Results

Data from the Diagnostic Procedure Combination System in Japan (2014–2018) was analyzed. The participants were cardiac patients who underwent CRT or CRT-D device implantation (n = 3859). The primary outcome was whether CPET was performed after device implantation. Unpaired t-tests and chi-squared tests were used to compare the characteristics of the CPET (+) and CPET (−) groups. Multivariate analysis was used to identify factors associated with CPET performance. CPET was performed in 134 patients (3%). The CPET (−) group was older and had lower Barthel Index (BI) scores at discharge. CPET (+) patients had a higher rate of cardiac rehabilitation. Multivariate analysis revealed that age < 70 years and BI score ≥ 85 at discharge were associated with CPET implementation. In-hospital cardiac rehabilitation is also an important determinant.

Conclusions

The CPET implementation after CRT or CRT-D was low. Emphasizing the importance of CPET may improve these rates. Future studies should explore strategies to increase its use in this patient population.