The effect of indirect calorimetry measurement on claudication pain in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease

The effect of indirect calorimetry measurement on the duration to onset and maximal claudication pain and hemodynamic measures was evaluated. Fifteen male patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) performed t wo graded exercise tests (GXTs) in random order, one with and the other wit hout the use of indirect calorimetry measurement. During the tests the time to onset and maximal claudication pain was recorded. Before and after the tests, ankle/brachial systolic pressure index (ABI) was determined. The tim e to onset of claudication pain was shorter for the test with indirect calo rimetry (4:49 +/- 3:50 vs 5:44 +/- 4:39 min:sec, p < 0.005). Time to maxima l claudication pain was not significantly different between the two conditi ons (8:58 +/- 3:01 min:sec with indirect calorimetry, 9:39 +/- 3:36 min:sec , without). There were no significant differences in ABI between the two te sting sessions at any time point. Results of this study suggest that indire ct calorimetry measurement can be utilized without compromising maximal cla udication pain time or hemodynamic measurements but that time to onset of c laudication pain is hastened with indirect calorimetry measurement in patie nts with PAOD.