Key result
Perceived functional capacity correlates moderately with aerobic capacity and helps predict impaired cardiac output.
Why the study?
Does a subjective perceived functional capacity (PFC) score correlate with objective exercise capacity and predict cardiac output impairment in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?
Cross-Sectional (n=100)
Single-blind
No
Does a subjective perceived functional capacity (PFC) score correlate with objective exercise capacity and predict cardiac output impairment in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?
Effect estimate: r = 0.52
p-value: p=<0.001
A simple, subjective 0-10 perceived functional capacity score correlates significantly with objective cardiopulmonary exercise testing parameters and, when combined with routine echocardiographic markers, highly predicts cardiac output impairment in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
May support noninvasive prediction of cardiac output impairment in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; hypothesis-generating and requires prospective validation.
Background The accuracy of subjective functional scores in identifying limited exercise capacity compared to objective exercise data is unclear. Objective This study evaluated the utility of perceived functional capacity (PFC), a subjective score for predicting objective exercise capacity on cardiopulmonary treadmill exercise testing (CPET), among patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Methods This retrospective study evaluated 100 patients with HCM who had documented PFC scores and exercise testing between May 2016 and November 2022. Exercise testing, echocardiographic, and laboratory results were then extracted. To determine PFC, patients rated tolerance for physical exertion on a 0–10 scale using a standardized script. The relationships between PFC and clinical data were assessed with univariable and multivariable regression. Results One hundred HCM patients (60 male and 40 female) with a mean age of 58.2 years were included. PFC positively correlated with functional aerobic capacity (r = 0.52, p < 0.001) and percent-predicted peak VO2 (r = 0.38, p < 0.001). On multivariate regression, the combination of PFC ≤ 65%, right ventricular systolic pressure > 35 mmHg, and left atrial volume index > 44 cc/m2 was highly predictive of cardiac output impairment on CPET (specificity = 95%, positive predictive value = 93%). Conclusion Perceived functional capacity correlates with objective measures of exercise capacity on CPET. Combined with select echocardiographic variables, PFC proved highly predictive of cardiac output impairment and may provide additional advantages in monitoring disease progression, clarifying goals of care, and guiding future treatment.
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Michel et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (n=100). Perceived functional capacity (PFC) score vs. Objective cardiopulmonary treadmill exercise testing (CPET) was evaluated on Correlation between perceived functional capacity and functional aerobic capacity (r = 0.52, p=<0.001). Perceived functional capacity positively correlated with functional aerobic capacity (r = 0.52) and, combined with echocardiographic variables, was highly predictive of cardiac output impairment.
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