Muscular exercise capacity and body fat predict VO2peak in heart transplant recipients

Abstract

Heart transplant (HTx) recipients usually have reduced exercise capacity, with reported VO2peak levels of 50–70% of predicted values. This study aimed to evaluate central and peripheral factors predictive of VO2peak. Conclusions: Chronotropic incompetence is not a limiting factor for exercise capacity in a population of relatively fit HTx patients. The most significant predictors, representing only peripheral factors, are similar to those often determining VO2peak in healthy, non-athletic individuals. Our findings emphasize the importance of a low percentage of body fat and high muscular exercise capacity in order to attain a sufficient VO2peak level after HTx.