Exercise capacity impairment and dyspnea are the most frequent clinical signs showed by patients affected by pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Consequently, a patient with these symptoms should be investigated to confirm or rule out this diagnosis. A functional evaluation, done by six-minute walking test and/or cardiopulmonary exercise test, can help physicians to clarify diagnosis, potential treatment and prognosis.

In this review Authors deal with delicates mechanisms underlying exercise physiopatology of PAH and interpretation of tests currently used to investigate exercise limitation in these patients. (Tur Toraks Der 2008;9:167-73)