OBJECTIVES: Tests of exercise capacity and quality of life (QOL) questionnaires are used to predict outcomes in heart failure (HF) patients. The short performance physical battery (SPPB) and Ferrans and Power’s quality of life index (QLI) are simple, free tests commonly used in geriatric and oncology patients, but data on their use in cardiovascular diseases is limited. We sought to assess their utility in advanced HF patients. METHODS: Ten patients with advanced HF scheduled for ventricular assist device implant were enrolled in this prospective, observational study. Multiple exercise capacity tests including maximal cardiopulmonary stress testing (CPX), 6 minute walk (6MWT), shuttle walk test (SWT), and SPPB were performed. Minnesota Living With Heart Failure (MLWHF) questionnaire, SF-36 v2™, and QLI were administered. Cardiac output was measured non-invasively by acetylene rebreathing. Data were reported in mean±SD. Pairwise correlations were calculated between exercise capacity tests and QOL questionnaires. RESULTS: Mean age was 62.1±8.6 years. The mean CPX duration was 5.6±2.9 minutes and CPX respiratory exchange ratio (RER) was 1.2±0.2. The 6MWT was 290±137 m, SWT distance was 167±97 m, and SPPB score was 7.7 ± 2.6. MLWHF score was 69±15, mean SF-36 Physical Component Score (PCS) was 30±10, SF-36 Mental Component Score was 42±12, and QLI was 19.2±4. CPX maximal cardiac output was 5.8±3 at rest and 8.4±5.9 L/min at peak exercise. SPPB score showed a trend towards positive correlation with 6MWT (r=0.6, p=0.06), SF-36 PCS (r=0.55, p=0.096) and a negative correlation with MLWHF score (r= -0.71, p=0.01). QLI was positively correlated with CPX RER (r=0.7, p=0.05), 6MWT (r=0.7, p=0.005), SWT distance (r=0.79, p=0.03), and SF-36 PCS (r=0.7, p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: SPPB and QLI correlated well to more laborious and technically demanding exercise capacity tests and generic QOL indices in advanced HF patients. Additional evaluation in a broader population of heart failure patients is needed.