• Home
  • About Us

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Jeremy Feldman, MD

  • What is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis?
    • Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Definition
    • Symptoms of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Causes of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Who Gets Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Gastro-Esophageal Reflux (GER) and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Interstitial Lung Disease vs. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Is Pulmonary Fibrosis Hereditary?
    • Research, Life Expectancy and Prognosis for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
  • Diagnosing & Monitoring PF
    • Monitoring Progress of IPF
    • Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Diagnosis
    • Chest X-rays Used in IPF
    • CPET used in IPF
    • HRCT Scans Used to Evaluate IPF
    • Lung Biopsy To Diagnose IPF
    • Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTS)
    • Six Minute Walk Test To Monitor IPF
    • Stages of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Complications of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
  • PF Treatment Options
    • Esbriet (pirfenidone) Used to Treat IPF
    • OFEV (nintedanib) Used to Treat IPF
    • Pulmonary Rehab for IPF Patients
    • Lung Transplantation for Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Oxygen Used to Treat IPF
      • Update on Oxygen Use
    • Clinical Trials in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • IPF & Leg Swelling
    • Pulmonary Hypertension and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • IPF Exacerbation
  • PF Advocacy & News
  • FAQ’s
    • Respiratory failure, NSIP, diet
    • Leg swelling, lung biopsy, side effects & pets
    • FAQ’s Enzyme Therapy, Progression of IPF & Oxygen
    • FAQ: Diarrhea, Fibrosis Reversal, IPF Symptoms
    • FAQ: Oxygen Flow, Anesthesia & Genetics
    • FAQ: Contagious Cough? Stem Cells, Familial IPF, Flying
    • FAQ: GERD, Fatigue & Environmental Exposure
    • FAQ: How to Travel to Your Doctor’s Office with Oxygen
    • FAQ: Lung Biopsy with Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • FAQ’s: Alcohol, Clinical Trials, Pulmonary Function Testing
    • FAQs: Emphysema, Exercise & Lung Biopsy

CPET used in IPF

Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

The cardiopulmonary exercise test otherwise known as a CPET or CPX may be performed to help evaluate the cause of a patient’s shortness of breath or to follow the progress of patients with lung disease. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing aims to measure the rate that a patient’s body takes in oxygen and produces carbon dioxide while monitoring ventilatory parameters, heart rhythm, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation during maximal exercise.

How is a cardiopulmonary exercise test performed?

Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis The cardiopulmonary exercise test is usually performed in a hospital setting as an outpatient procedure. There is minimal preparation required by the patient for the test. Each center will have their own guidelines for prep and these should be discussed with the patient. Common instructions include eating only a light meal at least two hours prior to the procedure, avoiding carbonated or caffeinated drinks as well as alcohol, and avoiding exercise the day of the test. Well fitting comfortable workout clothes and sneakers should be worn for the test.

The test is performed with the patient exercising on a stationary bicycle (or occasionally walking/running on a treadmill). Sometimes a small catheter is placed in an artery in the wrist. This arterial line is then used to draw blood samples during the test. The patient will also be breathing through a tube much like a pulmonary function test. A blood pressure cuff, pulse oximeter, and EKG leads will also be placed on the patient during the test. A physician will be present during part or all of the test.

The test begins with the patient pedaling without resistance. Every 2 minutes the resistance increases. The time of exercise is patient specific but usually lasts less than 12 minutes. The test will be physically exhausting and the patient will be asked to give it their best effort. Raw data such as blood gasses, blood pressure, and oxygen consumption are gathered during the test. The report will be generated and be sent to a physician, usually a pulmonologist, for interpretation.

What do the results of the CPET reveal?

The patient should set a follow up appointment for a couple of weeks after the CPET to go over the results. Results are not immediately available following the test, as several pieces of information have to be looked at by the physician and melded into a complete report.

The CPET is a valuable test that is useful in answering the the presence of abnormalities and quantifying them. Specific areas addressed include

  • exercise capacity
  • response to exercise
  • ventilatory response to exercise
  • gas exchange

CPET is generally not performed in advanced Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. In early IPF it may be useful in assessing the physiologic impact of mild disease. In patients with more than one cardiopulmonary disease, CPET can help determine the relative contributions to exercise limitation.

Featured Blog Posts

pain with IPF - massage therapy

Tips for Dealing with IPF Pain

6 Complications of IPF

Oxygen for pulmonary fibrosis.

Update on Oxygen Use for IPF Patients

Recent Posts

  • New Drugs Moving Forward for IPF
  • FAQs: Emphysema, Exercise & Lung Biopsy
  • FAQ’s: Alcohol, Clinical Trials, Pulmonary Function Testing

Search by Keyword (Examples: GERD, Coughing, Traveling, etc.)

Search by Category

Popular Articles

IPF patient with doctor

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Treatment Options

What is IPF?

  • What is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis?
    • Symptoms of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Causes of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Who Gets Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Gastro-Esophageal Reflux (GER) and IPF
    • Interstitial Lung Disease vs. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Is Pulmonary Fibrosis Hereditary?
    • Research, Life Expectancy & Prognosis for Pulmonary Fibrosis

Diagnosing IPF

  • Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Diagnosis
    • Chest X-rays Used in IPF
    • CPET used in IPF
    • HRCT Scans Used to Evaluate IPF
    • Lung Biopsy To Diagnose IPF
    • Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTS)
    • Six Minute Walk Test To Monitor IPF
    • Stages of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Complications of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Treating IPF

  • Pulmonary Fibrosis Treatment Options
    • Esbriet (pirfenidone) Used to Treat IPF
    • OFEV (nintedanib) Used to Treat IPF
    • Pulmonary Rehab for IPF Patients
    • Lung Transplantation for Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Oxygen Used to Treat IPF
    • Clinical Trials in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • IPF & Leg Swelling
    • Pulmonary Hypertension and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • IPF Exacerbation

Disclaimer