Standardization of 6 Minute Walk Test

On two different days the patients have to absolve four 6MW on different levels of effort - on both days a traditional test will be performed and additionally a test with more effort or with less effort. The order of the tests will be randomized. These two days of the examinations should be within a maximum of three months, provided that there is no sign of relevant clinical changes. After every minute the walking distance is determined. Heart rate and the O2 saturation are measured by pulsoxymetry during the whole test. Every two minutes the patients are asked about their dyspnea (Borg scale).

The purpose of the present study is to standardize the test by the incorporation of objective factors and to detect the correlation between the walking distance and the level of effort during exercise. The investigators expect that the reliability and objectivity of 6MW may increase by the standardization.

The additionally performed cardiopulmonary exercise testing helps to evaluate and stratify patients.

Inclusion criteria

• diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension or exercise-induced pulmonary hypertension by right heart catheterisation
• informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Myocardiac Infarct within the last 12 months
• Uncontrolled ventricular arrhythmia
• Uncontrolled bradycardic or tachycardic supraventricular arrhythmia
• relevant operations within the last 12 weeks
• change of the hemodynamic therapy within the last 6 weeks
• joint diseases or diseases of peripheral vessels and nerves which may make the results of the six minute walk test unreliable