Filip Olekšák, Peter Ďurdík, Alexander Jurko sr., Ján Mikler, Matúš Igaz, Ľubica Jakušová, Peter Bánovčin
Exercise tests are among the most popular non-invasive diagnostic methods for cardiac evaluation and evaluation of
functional capacity of the organism. In the pediatric population, cardiopulmonary exercise testing is considered to be
a valiant but neglected diagnostic tool whose indications and place in the clinical settings are still waiting for proper
use. By adding the gas exchange analysis to ergometry, we gain direct insight into how oxygen transports from air directly
into the mitochondria, as well as its metabolism in the body directly during exercise. The way and the velocity
of the body’s response to the rising load can be applied in clinical practice to evaulate functional parameters of athlethes
but also for correct stratification of risk in patients with congenital or acquired heart, lung, muscle or metabolic
diseases. Cumulative information on the benefits of this examination to clinical practice could become a starting point
for its more frequent use in casual pediatric practice.