Cardiac hemodynamic behavior during the 1-minute sit-to-stand test in pulmonary hypertension patients

The 1-minute sit-to-stand test (1-STS) is a practical, reliable, valid, and responsive alternative to measure physical capacity in different chronic respiratory diseases. However, the cardiac hemodynamic responses in pulmonary hypertension (PH) patients are still unknown. <bold>Aim:</bold> To non-invasively assess hemodynamic behavior during the 1-STS in patients with PH. Methodology: Cross-sectional study in PH patients compared to matched healthy subjects. The 1-STS was performed with simultaneous cardiac assessment using an electrical bioimpedance cardiograph (PhysioFlow-Manatec, Paris, France). <bold>Results:</bold> Thirteen female PH patients (median age 40.1 [36.5-50.5] years) were included, and 9 healthy individuals in the control group (CG) (age 39.1 [31.5-52.5] years). The PH group showed 47% reduction in the 1-STS performance compared to CG (22.0 [19.5-29.5] vs 41.0 [33.0-50.5], p=0.004), respectively. There were differences in hemodynamic variables during the 1-STS protocol, in which the PH group had a lower Cardiac Output (7.5 [6.1 – 8.6] vs 9.7 [8.2 – 10.6] L/min, p=0.003), Cardiac Index (4.6 [4.1 – 5.1] vs 5.6 [5.0 – 6.1] l/min/m², p=0.005), and End Diastolic Volume (136.6 [118.6 – 142.8] vs 120.9 [107.8 – 140.9] ml, p=0.02), and a higher Systemic Vascular Resistance (925.5 [793.6 – 1080.3] vs 700.5 [658.0 – 730.6] dyn.s/cm², p=0.02). Additionally, the PH group had lower Left Cardiac Work Index (5.5 [4.1 – 6.2] vs 7.5 [7.1 – 8.0] kg.m/m², p=0.003). <bold>Conclusion:</bold> Our results suggest that 1-STS can induce alterations in hemodynamic responses and systemic vascular resistance to physical exertion in PH patients.