Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing in Dysfunctional Breathing: A Case Series of Five Young Women
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: ABSTRACT Dysfunctional breathing (DB) is an underdiagnosed condition in young patients presenting with unexplained exertional breathlessness. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) provides valuable diagnostic insights in these challenging cases. We present a case series of five young women (mean age 23.2 years) who underwent comprehensive evaluation including CPET and body plethysmography for persistent exertional dyspnea. All patients demonstrated characteristic CPET findings of oscillatory breathing patterns, preserved ventilatory reserve, elevated VE/VCO2 slope, and absence of oxygen desaturation. Body plethysmography revealed consistently elevated residual volumes (162%–296% predicted) and RV/TLC ratios (40.39%–50.21%). CPET is crucial for diagnosing DB in young patients with unexplained dyspnea. The consistent plethysmography abnormalities suggest potential underlying airway pathology or maladaptive breathing patterns.
Source: Respirology Case Reports
DOI: 10.1002/rcr2.70336
Authors: Arup Haldar, Raja Dhar, Diptendu Dey, Amrita Bhattacharya, Beauty Biswas, Shyam Krishnan
Language: English
Subfield: Complementary and alternative medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,130
OpenAlex ID: W4413867181