Dyspnea Postpulmonary Embolism From Physiological Dead Space Proportion and Stroke Volume Defects During Exercise.

Background: Many patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) report dyspnea on exertion following long-term treatment. Increased physiological dead space proportion (V/V) and decreased cardiac stroke volume reserve may distinguish persistent effects of PE itself from symptoms reflecting comorbid conditions or deconditioning.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed a consecutive series of incremental symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise tests that had been ordered to evaluate persistent dyspnea on exertion following long-term treatment for acute PE.