Cardio-Pulmonary Suite

Introduction
List of Services
Our Team

Introduction

The Cardio-Pulmonary Suite is equipped to conduct research in lung and heart health in a broad range of populations including athletes, healthy, and chronic disease. Staffed by highly trained certified exercise physiologists, this suite can accommodate many research participants and can be modified to meet the requirements of specific research needs.

List of Services

Cardio-pulmonary exercise test (VO2max) – Up to five stations available

VO2max is an accurate measure of fitness level and can be performed on a treadmill or a cycle ergometer. More, specifically it is the maximum volume of oxygen consumed during an incremental exercise protocol. Throughout the test participants wear a face mask to collect breath-by-breath physiological data and electrodes, for an electrocardiogram (ECG), are placed on the chest to ensure participant safety.

Resting metabolic rate measurement

This service provides an accurate measurement of Resting Energy Expenditure (REE) to obtain a precise value of daily energy requirements. This measurement is obtained using the MOXUS system, where participants breathe under a canopy hood for a specified interval of time.

Percent body fat analysis

Using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) devices (Impedimed SFB7 or the Bodystat Quadscan 4000), percent body fat can be directly measured.

Field testing using portable metabolic system

Pulmonary function tests and breath-by-breath physiological data can be captured on the field or on the ice using the Cosmed K4 b2. This portable device is designed to capture exercise response including oxygen consumption (VO2), carbon dioxide excretion (VCO2), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), energy expenditure, among others.

Underwater field testing using portable metabolic system

Breath-by-breath physiological data can be captured under water using the Cosmed K4 b2 along with the Aquatrainer feature. This portable device is designed to capture exercise response including oxygen consumption (VO2), carbon dioxide excretion (VCO2), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), energy expenditure, among others.

Measurement of hemodynamic response (blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, stroke volume, cardiac output, etc.)

The measurement of hemodynamic response can be measured using one or both of the following instruments:

The HIC-4000I Impedance Cardiograph is a non-invasive instrument for detecting and monitoring bioelectric impedance cardiography (ICG) signals. This system is primarily intended for the assessment of heart rate, stroke volume, cardiac output, basal thoracic impedance (Zo), rate of change of impedance (dZ/dt), pre-ejection period (PEP), delta-Z (dZ), heart sounds, and respiratory rate (R). A separate unit (SunTech Tango+™) is used in conjunction with the HIC-4000I Impedance Cardiograph to measure blood pressure.
The Nexfin is a monitoring system used to monitor continuous non-invasive blood pressure and to trend beat-to-beat hemodynamic parameters, including systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, pulse rate, stroke volume, cardiac output, and systemic vascular resistance. The Nexfin uses a single finger sensor wrapped around a participant’s finger to make necessary measurements.

24-hour blood pressure monitoring

Ambulatory blood pressure data can be continuously recorded up to 24 hours using the Ambulo^TM 2400. Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and pulse rate can be measured in adults eighteen years and older.

24-hour electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring

Ambulatory electrocardiogram data can be continuously monitored over a 24 hour period using the Burdick® 5LR digital holter recorder. This system detects and records pacemaker pulses in accordance with the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI).

Complete pulmonary function assessment

A complete lung function test including forced vital capacity (FVC), slow vital capacity (SVC), and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) can be measured using our metabolic carts, our portable spirometry units, or our plethysmographs all equipped with BreezeSuiteTM software. Additionally, other measurements can be obtained on our plethysmographs including thoracic gas volume, airway resistance, DLCO, among others.

Dedicated hallway for walking tests

Our dedicated walking hallway is 17 metres long by 2.4 metres wide and was designed to host a variety of walking tests without interruption. This space can equally be used for any research activity requiring this type of space. Other spaces are available for longer distance walking tests.

Our Team

Alicia Wright, MSc, CSEP-CEP, FKQ-Kinesiologist – Supervisor, Cardio-Pulmonary Suite

Alicia completed her B.Sc. in with Exercise Science, Specialization in Athletic Therapy and M.Sc. in Exercise Science Specialization in Clinical Exercise Physiology at Concordia University. Alicia is a certified exercise physiologist with the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology and a Kinesiologist registered with la Fédération des Kinésiologues du Québec and has worked in the fitness industry for over 10 years with such organization as Nautilus Plus and the YMCA, in addition to working in research and respiratory health at l’Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal. She has worked with people with various health conditions (asthma, COPD, arthritis, Parkinson’s) to improve their general health status and quality of life; in addition has prepared a diversity of athletes for competition. Her experience in the rehabilitation setting as well as competitive setting is an asset that gives her the ability to work with a diversity of populations.
Alicia enjoys being involved in the community, meeting the needs of the less fortunate and working with youth.

Dr. Véronique Pepin – Scientific Lead, Cardio-Pulmonary Suite

Véronique Pepin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health, Kinesiology and Applied Physiology at Concordia University. She is a kinesiologist with work experience and postgraduate training in the areas of clinical exercise testing and exercise training in individuals with cardiorespiratory diseases. Her current research focuses on diurnal variations in common clinical measures in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and on the interaction between physical activity and sleep in various populations. She also has ongoing research activities in pulmonary rehabilitation and collaborates on projects investigating the benefits of exercise training for adults with other clinical conditions (asthma, mild concussion, insomnia, etc.). Her research program has been supported by grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec (FRSQ), the Canadian Lung Association/Canadian Respiratory Health Professionals, the Faculty of Arts & Science at Concordia University, and the Fondation de l’Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur de Montréal. In addition to her Concordia faculty position, she is a research member of the PERFORM Centre and holds a researcher position at Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur de Montréal.

Cardio-Pulmonary Suite

Introduction

List of Services

Our Team

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