Novel use of arm ergometry cardiopulmonary exercise testing for non-elective patients with chronic limb-threatening ischaemia: a feasibility trial.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the feasibility, safety and acceptability of arm crank ergometry cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPETarm) in patients with chronic limb threatening ischaemia (CLTI).

DESIGN

Prospective feasibility single-arm cohort study.

SETTING

A tertiary vascular surgery referral centre in Greater Manchester, UK.

PARTICIPANTS

Adult inpatients admitted with CLTI and scheduled for non-elective vascular intervention.

INTERVENTIONS: Participants underwent bedside CPETarm using an incremental ramp protocol. Cardiopulmonary parameters measured included peak oxygen uptake, anaerobic threshold (AT), ventilatory equivalent for carbon dioxide at AT, peak work rate, oxygen pulse, maximum heart rate and respiratory exchange ratio.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcomes were feasibility domains including eligibility, recruitment, test completion, safety, practicality, implementation and patient acceptability. Secondary outcomes included the ability to obtain clinically relevant CPET variables for perioperative risk stratification.

RESULTS

60 patients underwent CPETarm. 74% of CLTI inpatients met eligibility criteria and 71% of eligible patients consented to testing. CPETarm was completed to volitional exhaustion by 95% of participants, with anaerobic threshold identified in 68%. No major adverse events occurred during testing or within 24 hours post-test. 90% of CPETarm assessments were completed within 48 hours of the decision to proceed with intervention, without delaying surgery. The procedure was well tolerated and acceptable to patients.

CONCLUSIONS

CPETarm is a feasible, safe and acceptable method for preoperative assessment in patients with CLTI who are unsuitable for conventional lower-limb CPET. Further research is required to establish modality-specific thresholds, evaluate prognostic value for postoperative outcomes and evaluate integration into perioperative care pathways.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT06404229.