The emerging role of cardiopulmonary exercise testing and cardiac rehabilitation in dilated cardiomyopathy: A mini review

Abstract

Cardiovascular mortality is a major health burden
worldwide and the number of patients with cardiac
diseases is increasing. Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is
the most frequent cause for patient visits in cardiac care
units and emergency departments. It is commonly
misdiagnosed as ischaemic cardiac disease. Middle- and
low-income countries rely on pharmacological
management as the only treatment option. Most of the
patients cannot afford heart transplants or advanced
treatment strategies. Most health professionals also do
not prescribe cardiac rehabilitation for DCM patients in
their routine clinical practice. There is evidence that
supervised cardiac rehabilitation is safe and beneficial for
DCM patients. In addition to medications,
cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and supervised
cardiac rehabilitation, can provide more benefits to the
affected population of cardiomyopathies. CPET and
cardiac rehabilitation are still novel concepts in countries
like Pakistan. The present review aims to provide
clinicians with an overview of an evidence-based and
innovative perspective. This perspective emphasizes the
utilization of the additional benefits of cardiac
rehabilitation in the holistic management of DCM
patients and the prevention of chronic heart failure.
Keywords: Cardiac Rehabilitation, Cardiopulmonary
exercise testing, CPET, DCM, Exercise, Idiopathic Dilated
Cardiomyopathy, Risk stratification.