[Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing: Key Practical Aspects]

Functional exercise testing (FET) assesses an individual's capacity to adapt to effort and identifies limiting factors, particularly dyspnea. It orients therapeutic choices, predicts the progression of chronic pathologies, and estimates preoperative risks, at times contraindicating surgery. The aim of this article is to provide a summary of the specific indications for functional exercise testing, test protocol selection, test equipment, appropriate personnel, and patient and test safety. This article is intended for healthcare professionals conducting or considering functional exercise testing.