Lack of effect of an in-line filter on cardiopulmonary exercise testing variables in healthy subjects

• Published in: European journal of applied physiology Vol. 124; no. 3; pp. 1027 - 1036
• Main Authors: Abbasi, Asghar, Ahmad, Khadije, Ferguson, Carrie, Soriano, April, Calmelat, Robert, Rossiter, Harry B., Casaburi, Richard, Stringer, William W., Porszasz, Janos
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.03.2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aerosols; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Carbon dioxide; Human Physiology; Metabolic rate; Occupational Medicine/Industrial Medicine; Original Article; Physiology; Sports Medicine; COVID-19; Respiratory viruses; Ventilation; In-line filter; Cardiopulmonary exercise testing; Aerosol-generating procedures
• ISSN: 1439-6319; 1439-6327; 1439-6327
• DOI: 10.1007/s00421-023-05327-9

Purpose Pathogen transmission during cardio-pulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is caused by carrier aerosols generated during respiration. Methods Ten healthy volunteers (age range: 34 ± 15; 4 females) were recruited to see if the physiological reactions to ramp-incremental CPET on a cycle ergometer were affected using an in-line filter placed between the mouthpiece and the flow sensor. The tests were in random order with or without an in-line bacterial/viral spirometer filter. The work rate aligned, time interpolated 10 s bin data were compared throughout the exercise period. Results From rest to peak exercise, filter use increased only minute ventilation ( V ˙ E ) (Δ V ˙ E  = 1.56 ± 0.70 L/min, P  < 0.001) and tidal volume ( V T ) (Δ V T  = 0.10 ± 0.11 L, P  = 0.014). Over the entire test, the slope of the residuals for V ˙ CO 2 was positive (0.035 ± 0.041 (Δ L /L), P  = 0.027). During a ramp-incremental CPET in healthy subjects, an in-line filter increased V ˙ E and V T but not metabolic rate. Conclusion In conclusion, using an in-line filter is feasible, does not affect appreciably the physiological variables, and may mitigate risk of aerosol dispersion during CPET.