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Mahendran AK, Katz D, Opotowsky AR, Lubert AM. Exercise Pathophysiology and Testing in Individuals With a Fontan Circulation. CJC PEDIATRIC AND CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE 2023; 2:112-123. [PMID: 37969357 PMCID: PMC10642126 DOI: 10.1016/j.cjcpc.2023.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
The Fontan circulation, a surgical palliation for single-ventricle congenital heart disease, profoundly impacts the cardiopulmonary response to exercise. Reliant on passive pulmonary blood flow, the Fontan circulation has limited capacity to augment cardiac output as necessary to supply working muscles during exercise. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) objectively assesses cardiorespiratory fitness and provides insight into the etiology of exercise intolerance. Furthermore, CPET variables, such as peak oxygen consumption and submaximal variables, have prognostic value and may be used as meaningful endpoints in research studies. CPET is also useful in clinical research applications to assess the effect of pharmacologic or other interventions. Medical therapies to improve exercise tolerance in individuals with a Fontan circulation, such as pulmonary vasodilators, may modestly improve peak oxygen consumption. Exercise training focused on aerobic fitness and lower extremity strength may have a more consistent and larger impact on these measures of aerobic fitness. CPET is a valuable diagnostic and prognostic tool for those with a Fontan circulation. Newer ancillary assessments, such as noninvasive peripheral venous pressure monitoring and cardiac output measurements, hold promise to provide a more nuanced insight into the underlying pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arjun K. Mahendran
- Department of Pediatrics, Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - David Katz
- Department of Pediatrics, Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Alexander R. Opotowsky
- Department of Pediatrics, Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Adam M. Lubert
- Department of Pediatrics, Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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Anderson CAJ, Suna JM, Keating SE, Cordina R, Tran DL, Ayer J, Coombes JS. Safety and efficacy of exercise training in children and adolescents with congenital heart disease: A systematic review and descriptive analysis. Am Heart J 2022; 253:1-19. [PMID: 35768047 DOI: 10.1016/j.ahj.2022.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While exercise training is beneficial in the prevention and management of many chronic diseases, the role of exercise training in children and adolescents with congenital heart disease is less understood. We sought to determine the safety and efficacy of exercise training in children and adolescents with congenital heart disease. METHODS We conducted a systematic search of the following databases: PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, Web of Science and SportDiscus. We included randomised controlled trials that incorporated an exercise intervention compared with a non-exercising comparator group and examined safety and efficacy in children and adolescents with congenital heart disease. A descriptive analysis of the included trials was then conducted. RESULTS A total of 9 articles from 6 trials (642 participants with varying conditions and disease severity) were included. Significant variability of study participants and outcomes were observed across the trials. No adverse events linked to the exercise interventions were stated. The articles reported numerous positive changes to clinically relevant fitness measures. Exercise capacity improved with exercise training in 3 of 4 trials in which it was measured. Cardiorespiratory fitness showed improvements in 3 of 4 trials. Neuromuscular fitness increased in 1 of 2 trials. Physiological and metabolic parameters were improved, and negative changes were not observed to several clinically important measures (e.g. muscular oxygenation, cardiac measures) in 2 of 2 trials. Physical activity increased in 1 of 3 trials. No articles reported on changes in measures of body composition. Outcomes are varied with little consensus on measurements or assessment methods. CONCLUSIONS Exercise training appears to be safe and efficacious for improving physical fitness in children and adolescents with congenital heart disease who have been appropriately screened by their medical team. However, the certainty of the evidence for these findings is low to moderate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A J Anderson
- Centre for Research on Exercise, Physical Activity and Health, School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Jessica M Suna
- Centre for Research on Exercise, Physical Activity and Health, School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Queensland Paediatric Cardiac Service, Queensland Children's Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Shelley E Keating
- Centre for Research on Exercise, Physical Activity and Health, School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Rachael Cordina
- Department of Cardiology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia; Heart Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Derek L Tran
- Department of Cardiology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia; Heart Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Julian Ayer
- Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia; The Heart Centre for Children, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jeff S Coombes
- Centre for Research on Exercise, Physical Activity and Health, School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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