Influencing factors of cardiorespiratory fitness in allogeneic stem cell transplant candidates prior to transplantation

Purpose Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) seems to be prognostic prior to allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Influencing factors of CRF in allo-HSCT candidates have not been studied so far. Aim was to identify potentially influencing factors on CRF. Methods To assess CRF, a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) was performed on average 2.6 ± 7.2 days prior to admission. A regression analysis was conducted, with the following predictors: gender, age, body mass index (BMI), time between last therapy and allo-HSCT (t_Therapies), number of cardiotoxic therapies (n_Cardiotox), number of transplantations (n_Transplantations), comorbidity index (HCT-CI), hemoglobin level of the last 3 months (area under the curve), and physical activity. Results A total of 194 patients performed a CPET. VO 2peak was significantly reduced compared with reference data. In total, VO 2peak was 21.4 ml/min/kg (− 27.5%, p < 0.05). Men showed a significant larger percentage difference from reference value (− 29.1%, p < 0.05) than women (− 24.4%). VO 2peak was significantly ( p < 0.05) influenced by age (β = − 0.11), female gender (β = − 3.01), BMI (β = − 0.44), n_Cardiotox (β = − 0.73), hemoglobin level (β = 0.56), and physical activity prior to diagnosis (β = 0.10). Conclusions Our study demonstrates a decreased CRF indicating the potential need of prehabilitative exercise. We revealed some influencing factors on CRF. Those patients could benefit the most from exercise.