A new Challenge To Measure Cardiac Output And Stroke Volume During Exercise In Cystic Fibrosis Patients

Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients with severe diseases can have reduced exercise tolerance usually attributed to ventilatory factors and a lower aerobic capacity. Recently it was shown that cardiac output (CO) and stroke volume (SV) may be lower in CF patients with severe airflow limitation respect control subjects. One of the greatest challenges in exercise physiology is to develop a valid, non-invasive and cheap measurement of Co and SV during exercise. Aim of the study was to evaluate the CO and SV at rest and during exercise in relation to airway obstruction with an impedence cardiography device.