Fig. 1

Flowchart of inclusion and participation. ^a High-risk is defined as an oxygen uptake (VO₂) at the ventilatory anaerobic threshold (VAT) ≤ 11 mL/kg/min or at peak exercise (VO_2peak) ≤ 18 mL/kg/min at the preoperative CPET. Abbreviations: CPET, cardiopulmonary exercise test; METs, metabolic equivalent of task; VSAQ, veterans-specific activity questionnaire