Six-minute walking test performance is associated with survival in cirrhotic patients
Carolina Frade M G Pimentel, Ana Cristina Amaral, Adriano Miziara Gonzalez, Michelle Lai, Daniel de Oliveira Mota, Maria Lúcia Gomes Ferraz, Wilson Mathias, Mário Kondo
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Patients with cirrhosis are at risk of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy, with resulting cardiac dysfunction and exercise limitations. Six minute walking test (6MWT) assesses functional status and predicts morbidity and mortality in cardiopulmonary diseases. AIM: To determine if it associates with mortality by analyzing 6MWT performance in patients with liver cirrhosis. METHODS: A cohort of 106 cirrhotic patients was evaluated in the outpatient setting with echocardiogram and 6MWT and follow up for one year to document hepatic decompensation and mortality. The distance in meters was recorded at the end of 6 min (6MWD). RESULTS: = 0.01). CONCLUSION: 6MWT is a noninvasive inexpensive test whose result is related to Child scores and mortality. It is useful to identify patients with liver cirrhosis at high risk of mortality for closer monitoring and potential early intervention.