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Aims: to accurately measure exercise capacity for clinical use and research |
| What is CPET ? | Cardio pulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET) is a non-invasive simultaneous measurement of the cardiovascular and respiratory system during exercise to assess a patient's exercise capacity. |
| How to refer | The best way is to email ucl-tr.CPXref@nhs.net |
| Why do a CPET ? | CPET is used for many specific reasons, but in general it can
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| Referral Form | Download the referral form |
| Patients: What does it involve for you ? | Patients please click here to see our YouTube guide! Before the test- please
When you arrive we will ask you about your medical history and what exercise you're normally able to do, and ask your permission to record your data for research and audit use. We take baseline observations and a blood test. You wear a mask to allow us to measure the gas you breathe in and out. Once seated on the bike, we ask you to start cycling. The bike then gets harder to cycle- and we ask you to carry on until you can't exercise any more. We record readings (such as heart rate) as you exercise. The test gives a guide to your fitness and may be helpful in planning your treatment. |
| When | The CPET tests are carried out at 3 sites; UCLH at Westmorland Street - alternate Mondays in the 'Cystectomy Clinic'. Outpatients ground floor. Patients having surgery at The Whittington Hospital, Archway are tested at the UCL Hospitals or the Royal Free. |
| Staff | Rob Stephens, John Whittle, Nick Tetlow, Amy Dewar |
Postal Address
| Please contact initially our email ucl-tr.CPXref@nhs.net or Rob Stephens Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing, c/o ISEH, 1st Floor, 170 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 7HA |
| Collaborators | Professor Monty Mythen, Dr Ramani Moonesinghe at SOURCE The CPET team is a multidisciplinary venture started by the Centre for Altitude Space and Extreme Environment Medicine group UCL |
| Contact | Email ucl-tr.CPXref@nhs.net Rob Stephens at UCLH |
| Teaching | We often have visiting teams in the clinic. Do view the videos above before. Please email ucl-tr.CPXref@nhs.net for availability. During the CPET test, once consent has been taken and the preliminary tests (Hb, spirometry) are complete, the patient undertakes a 'ramped protocol test' on a cycle ergometer. We attach a 12 lead ECG, blood pressure cuff, saturation probe and a soft rubber face mask with a turbine to measure the expired gases before the test starts. The patient then rests for 3 minutes then begins to cycle. After 3 minutes of unloaded cycling the resistance begins to increase. The patient continues pedalling at 60rpm until they can no longer cycle, unless they have chest pains, feel discomfort or rarely if the physiologist stops the test. During every test exercise physiologists trained to carry out the CPET are present, in conjunction with a doctor. Reports from the test are written up and sent back to the medical team- we'll be in EPIC at UCLH Here's a great introduction to CPET interpretation from the University of Washington Here's the BJA Education guide to a 9 panel Plot CPET Setup - what we do before the test CPET for Patients - what to tell patients coming for a test CPET Introduction - outlines a test CPET Analysis - more information that the 'introduction' podcast CPET Critique overview by Professor Mike Grocott Hear Amy Dewar talk about her role as a student Contact Rob Stephens for more info |
| Links | POETTS: Perioperative Exercise Testing and Training Society We recommend courses on the website www.pcpet.co.uk and EBPOM The on performing a CPET.Hear Amy talk briefly about her time as a CPET student Download Amy's CPET summary |
