Assesment Of Symptom Limited Stair Climbing Test Efficacy İn Patients With Chronic Heart Failure

Introduction: To assess the efficacy of symptom-limited stair climbing test (SLSCT), in determining exercise capacities of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) by comparing cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) and 6-minute walk test (6 MWT) and to interpret the results according to clinical characteristics of patients. Methods: The study included 31 patients aged 50-75 years with stage II-III according to the NYHA (Newyork Heart Association) classification, diagnosed with CHF, with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 45% or less. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients were questioned. Exercise capacity was assessed by SLSCT, 6 MWT, CPET. Patients dyspnea and effort perception were assessed by Modified Borg Scale (MBS), pulmonary functions by spirometric measurements, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) by Chronic Heart Failure Questionnaire (CHFQ). Results: It was determined that the test with the highest VO2 max value among the tests was SLSCT. A significant difference was noted between the other tests (p <0.05). In heart rate changes before and after the tests, SLSCT was found to increase heart rate more than 6MWT and less than CPET. A significant correlation was found between the predicted VO2max values of CPET and SLSCT (r = 0.52, p = 0.003). It was also found that SLSCT was more related to clinical characteristics of patients. Conclusion: SLSCT is effective in evaluating exercise capacity and easy to use in CHF patients. Compared with the 6MWT, it gives better results in determining the clinical characteristics and hemodynamic responses of the patients. It is an alternative to assessing exercise capacity in the absence of CPET.