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Peak exercise oxygen consumption (Vo(2)) and the Heart Failure (HF) Survival Score (HFSS) were developed in middle-aged patient cohorts referred for heart transplantation with HF. The prognostic value of Vo(2) in patients >65 years has not been well studied. Accordingly, the prognostic value of peak Vo(2) was evaluated in these patients with HF. A retrospective analysis of 396 patients with HF >65 years with cardiopulmonary exercise testing was performed. Peak Vo(2) and components of the HFSS (presence of coronary artery disease, left ventricular ejection fraction, heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure, presence of intraventricular conduction defects, and serum sodium) were collected. Follow-up averaged 1,038 +/- 983 days. Outcome events were defined as death, implantation of a left ventricular assist device, or urgent transplantation. Patients were divided into risk strata for peak Vo(2) and HFSS based on previous cut-off points. Survival curves were derived using Kaplan-Meier analysis and compared using log-rank analysis. Survival differed markedly by Vo(2) stratum (p <0.0001), with significantly better survival rates for the low- (>14 ml/kg/min) versus medium- (10 to 14 ml/kg/min), low- versus high- (<10 ml/kg/min), and medium- versus high-risk strata (all p <0.05). Survival also differed markedly by HFSS stratum (p <0.0001), with significantly better survival rates for the low- (> or =8.10) versus medium- (7.20 to 8.09), low- versus high- (< or =7.19), and medium- versus high-risk strata (all p <0.0001). In conclusion, peak Vo(2) and the HFSS were both excellent parameters to predict survival in patients >65 years with HF.