PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Monira I. Aldhahi
AU  - Abdulfattah S. Alqahtani
AU  - Hazzaa M. AL-Hazzaa
TI  - Revisiting the clinical utilization of cardiopulmonary exercise testing in Saudi Arabia after 2 decades
AID  - 10.15537/smj.2024.45.2.20230713
DP  - 2024 Feb 01
TA  - Saudi Medical Journal
PG  - 154--162
VI  - 45
IP  - 2
4099  - http://smj.org.sa/content/45/2/154.short
4100  - http://smj.org.sa/content/45/2/154.full
SO  - Saudi Med J2024 Feb 01; 45
AB  - Objectives: To assess the prevalence of cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) usage and identify barriers among major hospitals and medical centers in Saudi Arabia. We also aim to compare these findings with data from nearly 2 decades ago.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 70 major hospitals and medical centers were contacted, and 52 (74.2%) responded. The participants involved in this study were healthcare providers proficient in carrying out CPET from different specialties. The survey comprised 21 items covering CPET utilization, exercise mode characteristics, common protocols, types of patients or disorders, and barriers to not carrying out CPET.Results: The majority (n=37; 71.9%) of the centers reported a lack of CPET utilization. Of the 15 centers that used CPET, only 11 carried out regular CPET. Cardiac-related conditions were the most commonly referred clinical cases (n=7), followed by pulmonary conditions and cardiopulmonary fitness. The common barriers to carrying out CPET have remained unchanged compared to 2 decades ago - that is, the lack of equipment or trained technicians. However, there has been a 14.1% increase in the utilization of CPET and a 10.1% increase in the use of treadmill mode compared to a survey carried out 2 decades ago.Conclusion: Although CPET utilization has increased over 2 decades, this still falls below the desired benchmark. This highlights the need for collaborative efforts among policymakers, and healthcare institutions to address barriers and improve CPET integration into clinical practice.