Nonexercise prediction equation for peak oxygen uptake in Chinese patients with cardiovascular disease

Abstract Background Peak oxygen uptake (VO₂ peak) is a key indicator for evaluating cardiopulmonary function and cardiovascular prognosis. The use of the gold standard test method, the cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET), is limited in clinical practice. Most existing nonexercise prediction equations are based on healthy or North American populations, and their applicability in Chinese patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) is unknown. This study aimed to establish a VO₂ peak prediction equation applicable to Chinese CVD patients. Methods This retrospective multicentre study included CPET data from 21,402 CVD patients from 20 medical centres from January 2018–December 2024. Patients were randomly divided into a development group (n = 14,981) and a verification group (n = 6421) at a ratio of 7:3. The regression analysis method was used to establish a Chinese CVD prediction equation to predict the VO₂ peak value of CVD patients, and this equation was compared with prediction equations established in other cohorts. Results Age, sex, height, weight, and CVD diagnosis were included as factors in the predictive equation. The regression equation was as follows: VO 2 peak (mL/min) = 246.206 – (9.858 × age [years]) + (187.643*sex [male = 1; female = 0]) + (4.500 × height [cm]) + (10.250 × weight [kg]) + (94.969 × SA [yes = 1, no = 0]) - (39.293 × PCI [yes = 1, no = 0]) - (110.124× MI [yes = 1, no = 0]) - (208.447 × HF [yes = 1, no = 0]), adjusted R2 = 0.51, SEE = 264 mL/min. The Wasserman (152%), Friend health (197%), and Friend CVD equations (117%) overestimated the VO₂ peak of Chinese CVD patients, whereas the Chinese CVD Eq. (104%) predicted values closer to the measured values. Conclusions In this study, a VO₂ peak prediction equation for Chinese CVD patients was developed. Compared with existing equations, this equation has a prediction smaller error and is more suitable for the Chinese population.