Background The impact of a delayed heart rate recovery (HRR? 14) has rarely been explored in bronchiectasis.

Aims (i) describe the longitudinal changes in HRR after the 6-min walk test (6MWT) and (ii) to identify the role of changes in clinical outcomes after 12-month in predicting a delayed HRR in bronchiectasis.

Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted in adult patients with bronchiectasis. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected at the beginning and after 12 months. The HRR1 after the first minute of the 6MWT was registered in both assessments. A logistic regression model was used to identify the clinical changes over 12-month that may predict a delayed HRR1 (HRR1? 14).

Results 45 patients with a mean (SD) age of 61 (16) years and mostly woman (64%) were included. The changes in lung function (FEV1% = 4 % (15)), cough severity (leicester cough questionnaire= 0.1 points [-0.9 ? 1.2]) and distance walked (6 m (37)) were not clinically relevant after the follow-up period. The median [P25-P75] exacerbation frequency was 2 [1-3] and 22% of the participants required at least one hospitalisation. Eleven participants (24%) were identified with a delayed HRR1 at the final assessment. Experienced at least 2 exacerbations/year was a predictor of a delayed HRR1 in people with bronchiectasis (table 1).

Conclusion Presenting at least 2 exacerbations/year is a predictor of delayed HRR1 in bronchiectasis.