Spina bifida and cardiorespiratory profile: the impact of leisure sport activities on physical fitness

PURPOSE

The aim of the present study is to evaluate a population of young patients affected by Spina Bifida (SB) to describe their cardiorespiratory function and bone mineral density profile, analyzing any differences between people performing and those who do not perform sports activity. The study also aimed to rule out possible congenital heart disease associated with spina bifida, considering the common origin of certain cardiac structures with those found to be altered in SB patients.

METHODS

Thirty-four young patients, aged between 12 and 22 years, diagnosed with spinal dysraphism (SD), have been clinically described and, in order to evaluate their physical fitness, functional capacity and bone mass, almost all of them underwent a complete cardiorespiratory assessment, including electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram, Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test (CPET), body composition analysis using bioimpedance analysis (BIA) and Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA), as well as the estimation of bone mineral density (BMD) with Computerized Bone Mineralometry (CBM).

RESULTS

Collected data demonstrated that only 35% of the subjects practiced physical activity during the week. BMI and percentage FM values were pathological in at least 50% of the population. On cardiological investigations (ECG and echocardiogram), no significant alterations were found. In all patients who performed CPET (79.4%), pathological values of the main functional capacity parameters were revealed, especially peak oxygen consumption (VO2 peak), even when corrected for BCM or FFM estimated at BIA and DEXA, respectively. In the CBM analysis, out of 27 patients in whom the femoral T-score was evaluated, a condition of osteopenia was revealed in 40.7% of the patients (11/27) and osteoporosis in 18.5% (5/27); out of 27 patients in whom the lumbar T-score was evaluated, 37% of the patients showed osteopenia (10/27) and 29.6% osteoporosis (8/27). When the comparison between exercising and non-exercising patients was performed, the only statistically significant difference that emerged was the median lumbar T-score value, which appeared lower in the group not performing physical activity (p = 0,009).

CONCLUSIONS

The extensive cardiorespiratory evaluation, including CPET, of our cohort of spina bifida patients showed altered values of the main parameters related to cardiorespiratory fitness and is the only study in the literature that analysed bone mineralization values in physically active and sedentary spina bifida patients and demonstrated a statistically significant difference. Furthermore, it is the only study to date that investigated the possible association of congenital heart diseases with SD, without demonstrating the existence of pathological conditions.

Software development to standardize the clinical diagnosis of exercise oscillatory ventilation in heart failure

BACKGROUND

Exercise oscillatory ventilation (EOV) is characterized by periodic oscillations of minute ventilation during cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). Despite its prognostic value in chronic heart failure (HF), its diagnosis is complex due to technical limitations. An easier and more accurate way of EOV identification can contribute to a better approach and clinical diagnosis. This study aims to describe a software development to standardize the EOV diagnosis from CPET's raw data in heart failure patients and test its reliability (intra- and inter-rater).

METHODS

The software was developed in the "drag-and-drop" G-language using LabVIEW®. Five EOV definitions (Ben-Dov, Corrà, Kremser, Leite, and Sun definitions), two alternative approaches, one smoothing technique, and some basic statistics were incorporated into the interface to visualize four charts of the ventilatory response. EOV identification was based on a set of criteria verified from the interaction between amplitude, cycle length, and oscillation time. Two raters analyzed the datasets. In addition, repeated measurements were verified after six months using about 25% of the initial data. Cohen's kappa coefficient (κ) was used to investigate the reliability.

RESULTS

Overall, 391 tests were analyzed in duplicate (inter-rater reliability) and 100 tests were randomized for new analysis (intra-rater reliability). High inter-rater (κ > 0.80) and intra-rater (κ > 0.80) reliability of the five EOV diagnoses were observed.

CONCLUSION

The present study proposes novel semi-automated software to detect EOV in HF, with high inter and intra-rater agreements. The software project and its tutorial are freely available for download.

A Mixed Methods System for the Assessment of Post Exertional Malaise in Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Background

A central feature of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is post exertional malaise (PEM), which is an acute worsening of symptoms after a physical, emotional and/or mental exertion. PEM is also a feature of Long COVID. Dynamic measures of PEM have historically included scaled questionnaires which have not been validated in ME/CFS. To enhance our understanding of PEM and how best to measure it, we conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews (QIs) at the same intervals as Visual Analog Scale (VAS) measures after a Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test (CPET).

Methods

Ten ME/CFS and nine healthy volunteers participated in a CPET. For each participant, PEM symptom VAS (7 symptoms) and semi-structured QIs were administered at six timepoints over 72 hours before and after a single CPET. QI data were used to plot the severity of PEM at each time point and identify the self-described most bothersome symptom for each patient. QI data were used to determine the symptom trajectory and peak of PEM. Performance of QI and VAS data were compared to each other using Spearman correlations.

Results

QIs documented that each ME/CFS volunteer had a unique PEM experience, with differences noted in the onset, severity, trajectory over time, and most bothersome symptom. No healthy volunteers experienced PEM. Scaled QI data were able to identify PEM peaks and trajectories, even when VAS scales were unable to do so due to known ceiling and floor effects. QI and VAS fatigue data corresponded well prior to exercise (baseline, r=0.7) but poorly at peak PEM (r=0.28) and with the change from baseline to peak (r=0.20). When the most bothersome symptom identified from QIs was used, these correlations improved (r=.0.77, 0.42. and 0.54 respectively) and reduced the observed VAS scale ceiling and floor effects.

Conclusion

QIs were able to capture changes in PEM severity and symptom quality over time in all the ME/CFS volunteers, even when VAS scales failed to do so. Information collected from QIs also improved the performance of VAS. Measurement of PEM can be improved by using a quantitative-qualitative mixed model approach.

Mechanical dispersion is a superior echocardiographic feature to predict exercise capacity in preclinical and overt heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

BACKGROUND

Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF) is a syndrome characterized by different degrees of exercise intolerance, which leads to poor quality of life and prognosis. Recently, the European score (HFA-PEFF) was proposed to standardize the diagnosis of HFpEF. Even though Global Longitudinal Strain (GLS) is a component of HFA-PEFF, the role of other strain parameters, such as Mechanical Dispersion (MD), has yet to be studied. In this study, we aimed to compare MD and other features from the HFA-PEFF according to their association with exercise capacity in an outpatient population of subjects at risk or suspected HFpEF.

METHODS

This is a single-center cross-sectional study performed in an outpatient population of 144 subjects with a median age of 57 years, 58% females, referred to the Echocardiography and Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test to investigate HFpEF.

RESULTS

MD had a higher correlation to Peak VO2 (r=-0.43) when compared to GLS (r=-0.26), MD presented a significant correlation to Ventilatory Anaerobic Threshold (VAT) (r=-0.20; p = 0.04), while GLS showed no correlation (r=-0.14; p = 0.15). Neither MD nor GLS showed a correlation with the time to recover VO2 after exercise (T1/2). In Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) analysis, MD presented superior performance to GLS to predict Peak VO2 (AUC: 0.77 vs. 0.62), VAT (AUC: 0.61 vs. 0.57), and T1/2 (AUC: 0.64 vs. 0.57). Adding MD to HFA-PEFF improved the model performance (AUC from 0.77 to 0.81).

CONCLUSION

MD presented a higher association with Peak VO2 when compared to GLS and most features from the HFA-PEFF. Adding MD to the HFA-PEFF improved the model performance.

Persistent Exertional Dyspnea and Perceived Exercise Intolerance After Mild COVID-19: A Critical Role for Breathing Dysregulation?

OBJECTIVE

After mild COVID-19, a subgroup of patients reported post-acute-phase sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) in which exertional dyspnea and perceived exercise intolerance were common. Underlying pathophysiological mechanisms remain incompletely understood. The purpose of this study was to examine outcomes from cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in these patients.

METHODS

In this observational study, participants were patients who were referred for the analysis of PASC after mild COVID-19 and in whom CPET was performed after standard clinical workup turned out unremarkable. Cardiocirculatory, ventilatory, and metabolic responses to and breathing patterns during exercise at physiological limits were analyzed.

RESULTS

Twenty-one patients (76% women; mean age = 40 years) who reported severe disability in physical functioning underwent CPET at 32 weeks (interquartile range = 22-52) after COVID-19. Mean peak O2 uptake was 99% of predicted with normal anaerobic thresholds. No cardiovascular or gas exchange abnormalities were detected. Twenty of the 21 patients (95%) demonstrated breathing dysregulation (ventilatory inefficiency [29%], abnormal course of breathing frequency and tidal volume [57%], absent increase of end-tidal Pco2 [57%], and abnormal resting blood gases [67%]).

CONCLUSION

Breathing dysregulation may explain exertional dyspnea and perceived exercise intolerance in patients with PASC after mild COVID-19 and can be present in the absence of deconditioning. This finding warrants further study on the levels of neural control of breathing and muscle function, and simultaneously provides a potential treatment opportunity.

IMPACT

This study contributes to the understanding of persistent exertional dyspnea and perceived exercise intolerance following mild COVID-19, which is vital for the development of effective rehabilitation strategies.

Comparison of Predicted Exercise Capacity Equations in Adult Korean Subjects

BACKGROUND

Maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂ max) is a useful index to assess exercise capacity. However, there is no reference value for Koreans. This study aimed to compare actual VO₂ max and predicted VO₂ max using exercise capacity equations in Korean subjects.

METHODS

This retrospective study enrolled 383 patients who underwent cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) with incremental maximal cycle ergometer test at Asan Medical Center from January 2020 to May 2021. Stage 1 and 2 lung cancer patients with normal lung function and healthy persons of 50 subjects who had maximal CPET were analyzed.

RESULTS

The subjects were aged 65 ± 13 years and predominantly male (74%). CPET results were as follows: absolute VO₂ max, 1.2 ± 0.3 L/min; body weight referenced VO₂ max, 20 ± 3.9 mL/kg/min; peak work rate, 94 ± 24 watts; peak heart rate, 142 ± 21 bpm; peak O₂ pulse, 10 ± 3 mL/beat; minute ventilation, 59 ± 14 L/min; peak respiratory rate, 34 ± 6 breaths per minute; and peak breathing reserve, 41 ± 18%. There was significant discordance between the measured and predicted absolute VO₂ max using the Jones, Hansen, and Wasserman prediction equations developed for Caucasian population (P < 0.001). Agreement using Bland-Altman test between true and predicted absolute VO₂ max was the best in Chinese equation (-0.03, 2SD = 0.55) compared to Jones (0.42, 2SD = 1.07), Hansen (0.44, 2SD = 0.86), and Wasserman (0.42, 2SD = 0.86) equations.

CONCLUSION

The reference value and prediction equation from studies including primarily Caucasians may not be appropriate for Koreans. Since the mean difference is the lowest in Chinese equation, the Chinese equation might be used for the Korean adult population.

The Wessex Fit-4-Cancer Surgery Trial (WesFit): a protocol for a factorial-design, pragmatic randomised-controlled trial investigating the effects of a multi-modal prehabilitation programme in patients undergoing elective major intra-cavity cancer surgery

Background: Surgical resection remains the primary curative treatment for intra-cavity cancer. Low physical fitness and psychological factors such as depression are predictive of post-operative morbidity, mortality and length of hospital stay. Prolonged post-operative morbidity is associated with persistently elevated risk of premature death. We aim to investigate whether a structured, responsive exercise training programme, a psychological support programme or combined exercise and psychological support, delivered between treatment decision and major intra-cavity surgery for cancer, can reduce length of hospital stay, compared with standard care. Methods: WesFit is a pragmatic , 2x2 factorial-design, multi-centre, randomised-controlled trial, with planned recruitment of N=1560. Participants will be randomised to one of four groups. Group 1 (control) will receive usual pre-operative care, Group 2 (exercise) patients will undergo 2/3 aerobic, high-intensity interval training sessions per week supervised by personal trainers. Group 3 (psychological support) patients are offered 1 session per week at a local cancer support centre. Group 4 will receive both exercise and psychological support. All patients undergo baseline and pre-operative cardiopulmonary exercise testing, complete self-report questionnaires and will be followed up at 30 days, 12 weeks and 12 months post-operatively. Primary outcome is post-operative length-of-stay. Secondary outcomes include disability-adjusted survival at 1-year postoperatively, post-operative morbidity, and health-related quality of life. Exploratory investigations include objectively measured changes in physical fitness assessed by cardiopulmonary exercise test, disease-free and overall mortality at 1-year postoperatively, longer-term physical activity behaviour change, pre-operative radiological tumour regression, pathological tumour regression, pre and post-operative body composition analysis, health economics analysis and nutritional characterisation and its relationship to post-operative outcome. Conclusions: The WesFit trial will be a randomised controlled study investigating whether a high-intensity exercise training programme +/- psychological intervention results in improvements in clinical and patient reported outcomes in patients undergoing major inter-cavity resection of cancer. ClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT03509428 (26/04/2018).

Clinical, scintigraphic, and angiographic predictors of oxygen pulse abnormality in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary exercise testing

BACKGROUND

The oxygen (O₂ ) pulse curve obtained at cardiopulmonary exercise testing provides information on cardiorespiratory fitness and the presence of cardiovascular disease. O₂ pulse abnormalities have been attributed to myocardial ischemia, among other conditions, but the predictors of abnormal O₂ pulse curves are not completely known.

HYPOTHESIS

Perfusion abnormalities detected by myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) may be associated with abnormal O₂ pulse curves.

METHODS

Forty patients with normal left ventricular function underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing with radiotracer injection at peak exercise, followed by MPS. The O₂ pulse curves were classified as (A) normal; (B) probably normal (normal slope with lower peak value); (C) probably abnormal (flat, with low peak value); or (D) definitely abnormal (descending slope), and analyzed as A/B vs C/D. Coronary artery disease (CAD) was defined as >50% stenosis. MPS perfusion scores were calculated (summed rest score [SRS], indicating myocardial fibrosis; summed difference score, indicating ischemia).

RESULTS

Comparing patients with A/B vs C/D curves, the latter were more frequently female and had higher SRS. The prevalence of ischemic MPS, of any CAD, or multivessel CAD was not significantly different among patients with A/B or C/D curve patterns. On logistic regression, female sex, body mass index, and the SRS were significantly associated with C/D curves.

CONCLUSIONS

Female sex, increasing body mass index, and myocardial fibrosis were significant predictors of abnormal O₂ pulse curves. Myocardial ischemia and the presence and extent of CAD were not associated with the abnormal patterns of the O₂ pulse curve.

Exercise Capacity Long-Term after Arterial Switch Operation for Transposition of the Great Arteries

Transposition of the great arteries (TGA) is a congenital heart defect successfully corrected through arterial switch operation (ASO). Although this technique had significant impact in improving survival, little is known about the functional capacity of the operated patients long-term after surgery.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to compare the functional capacity of children with TGA long-term after ASO with that of healthy children.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

PATIENTS

All patients that performed cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) were included in the study. As a control group, healthy children in evaluation for physical activity that performed CPET during the same period were also enrolled.

RESULTS

Thirty-one TGA patients (19 male) were compared with 29 age-matched controls (21 male). Maximum oxygen consumption was higher in the control group (45.47 ± 8.05 vs. 40.52 ± 7.19, P = .017), although within normal limits in both groups (above 90% of predicted value). The heart rate behavior during exercise was different in both groups, with a mean chronotropic index significantly lower in the TGA group (63% ± 14 vs. 81% ± 12, P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results showed that exercise capacity long-term after ASO in TGA is well preserved although lower than in healthy children what might be explained by the presence of chronotropic incompetence in the TGA group.