Bronchial Response to Exercise After Double Lung Transplantation

Bronchial Response to Exercise After Double Lung Transplantation

This study aims to investigate the airway response to exercise and its association with breathlessness in double lung transplant recipients by comparing responses during 5-minute and 15-minute exercise durations.

Participants will undergo a constant workload challenge set at 60% of their peak oxygen uptake in 2 separate sessions: a 5-minute and a 15-minute exercise session, conducted in a random order. Ratings of perceived exertion will be measured every 5 minutes during exercise. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second will be performed before exercise, immediately post-exercise, and at 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 minutes post-exercise in order to assess the airway response.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Received double lung transplantation
2. ≥ 3 months post-transplant

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Diagnosis of asthma
2. Significant airflow limitation (≤50% FEV1 predicted)
3. Inability to cooperate with the required tests and measurements
4. Recent infection or rejection within 1 month
5. Exercise contraindication (e.g., recent heart attack or stroke within 3 months, uncontrolled hypertension, known aortic aneurysm, unstable cardiac ischemia, malignant arrhythmias)