Mugii N, et al. - Experts assessed the cardiopulmonary factors affecting the 6-min walk distance in patients who were able to walk without leg pain or fatigue. Findings suggested that in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies impaired diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) due to interstitial lung disease was seen to be a fundamental parameter affecting exercise capacity. Nonetheless, during the 6-min walk test stroke volume was notably lower in the patients compared to healthy controls, thereby suggesting malfunction in the heart. Furthermore, increased heart rate and the cardiac output were seen to match.