When is spiroergometry performed?
Spiroergometry is used to diagnose and monitor the course or therapy of diseases of the cardiovascular system and the lungs (e.g. cardiac insufficiency). Often, especially at the beginning of such a disease, the patient only experiences discomfort during physical exertion, for example when climbing stairs.
With the help of spiroergometry, the physician can determine the patient’s individual exercise limit and thus the severity of the disease. In addition, he can use the results to distinguish whether the cause of a performance restriction lies in the heart or in the lungs.
Spiroergometry is also used in sports medicine to assess the performance and training success of healthy athletes.
When should spiroergometry not be performed?
- recent heart attack
- @ untreated or new onset of cardiac arrhythmia
- Endocarditis, myocarditis, or pericarditis (inflammation of the pericardium)
- Occlusion of a pulmonary vessel by a blood clot that has washed up (pulmonary embolism)
- inadequately treated asthma
How does spiroergometry work?
To measure respiratory function and respiratory gases, the patient must wear a tight-fitting mask over the mouth and nose. It is connected to a flowmeter and gas analysis apparatus so that breathing activity and oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production can be measured simultaneously.
Now the patient must physically exert himself on a stationary bicycle (ergometer) or treadmill. The load is increased gradually (step test) or continuously (ramp test) until the planned load intensity is reached or medical measurements indicate the individual load limit.
Spiroergometry takes between ten and twenty minutes. However, if the patient experiences symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain or dizziness, the doctor stops the test prematurely.
Spiroergometry: Evaluation
What are the risks of spiroergometry?
Due to the constant monitoring of the patient’s circulatory functions, spiroergometry is a very safe procedure. At the first sign of serious cardiac arrhythmia or other complications, the physician will immediately stop spiroergometry and can initiate the necessary treatment.
If you notice any discomfort during spiroergometry that goes beyond the normal physical response to exertion, you should tell the doctor immediately!
