Physiological range of peak cardiac power output in healthy adults

• Published in: Clinical physiology and functional imaging 2006-07, Vol.26 (4), p.240-246
• Main Authors: Bromley, Paul D., Hodges, Lynette D., Brodie, David A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aging; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Pressure; Body Weight; Cardiac Output; cardiac power; effects of ageing; Electrocardiography; Exercise; Exercise Test; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Heart - physiology; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Oxygen Consumption; peak exercise oxygen consumption; Sex Characteristics; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems
• ISSN: 1475-0961; 1475-097X
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1475-097X.2006.00678.x

Summary Aims  The purpose of this study was to indicate the normal range for peak cardiac power output (CPOpeak) in healthy adults and to explore age‐ and sex‐related variations of this parameter. Methods and results  Using the non‐invasive exponential CO2 rebreathing technique [J.G. Defares, J Appl Physiol13 (1958) 159], cardiac output was measured at an exercise intensity determined to coincide with ≥95% of peak oxygen consumption in 102 healthy adults (mean ± SD, age 43 ± 13 years, body mass 74 ± 13 kg). Peak cardiac power was then computed from measurements of peak cardiac output () and peak mean arterial pressure (MAPpeak) using the equation described by Cooke et al. [Heart79 (1998) 289]. Peak oxygen consumption in the study population was 2·42 (±0·74) l min−1 and subjects achieved 101 ± 7% of this value during the measurement of . was 17·3 (±4) l min−1, and CPOpeak was computed as 4·5 (±1·2) W. CPOpeak ranged from 3·11 to 7·94 W in men and 2·53 to 5·57 W in women. Additionally, ageing appears to be associated with a significant loss of peak cardiac power in men that is not apparent in women. Conclusion  Although the sample size remains moderate, the CPO values attained were normally distributed and these values provide a useful indication of the normal range for CPOpeak in healthy adults.