Exercise capacity, physical activity, and health-related quality of life in adults with CHD.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess exercise capacity, physical activity, and health-related quality of life within a broad and unselected group of adults with CHD. DESIGN: From April 2009 to February 2014, 1310 patients were assessed for suitability to participate in this single-centre cross-sectional study. Seven hundred and forty-seven (57%) patients were included, performed a submaximal bicycle test, and answered questionnaires regarding physical activity and health-related quality of life. Exercise capacity, physical activity, and health-related quality of life were compared with reference values and correlations were studied. RESULTS: The exercise capacities of men and women with CHD were 58.7 and 66.3%, respectively, of reference values. Approximately, 20-25% of the patients did not achieve the recommended amount of physical activity. In addition, men scored significantly less points on 7 out of 10 scales of health-related quality of life and women in 6 out of 10 scales, compared with reference values. The strongest correlation was between exercise capacity and the Short Form-36 (physical function). CONCLUSIONS: Exercise capacity was impaired in all adults with CHD, including those with less complicated CHD. One-quarter of the patients did not achieve the recommended levels of physical activity. Exercise tests followed by individualised exercise prescriptions may be offered to all patients with CHD aiming to increase exercise capacity, levels of physical activity, improve health-related quality of life, and reduce the risk of acquired life-style diseases.

Post-operative musculoskeletal outcomes in patients with coarctation of the aorta following different surgical approaches.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine range of motion and muscle function in the upper extremity and spine in patients with coarctation of the aorta (CoA) comparing different surgical approaches. METHODS: From October 2017 to February 2019, 150 patients were assessed for inclusion. A total of 99 patients (n = 75 CoA, n = 24 control), were included and assessed regarding muscle function, arm length and circumference, and spinal and thoracic mobility. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the right and left arm in patients with CoA, operated with the subclavian flap technique compared to controls in regards to shoulder flexion (p < 0.001), elbow flexion (p = 0.001), shoulder abduction (p = 0.02), handgrip strength (p = 0.01), length of upper arm (p < 0.001), lower arm (p < 0.001), and of whole arm (p < 0.001), circumference regarding upper arm (p = 0.001), lower arm (p < 0.001), and wrist (p < 0.001). Structural scoliosis was more frequent in patients who had undergone thoracotomy (25.4%) than patients who had not undergone a thoracotomy (5.9%, p = 0.04), and were often located in the thoracic part of the spine. CONCLUSION: Patients with CoA operated on using the subclavian flap technique have impaired muscle function as well as reduced arm length and circumference. An increased rate of structural scoliosis was found in patients who underwent thoracotomy, in comparison with patients who had not undergone a thoracotomy. Further research is needed to determine whether muscle function impaired by surgical procedures can be improved with exercise.

Home-based interval training increases endurance capacity in adults with complex congenital heart disease.

OBJECTIVE: The beneficial effects of exercise training in acquired heart failure and coronary artery disease are well known and have been implemented in current treatment guidelines. Knowledge on appropriate exercise training regimes for adults with congenital heart disease is limited, thus further studies are needed. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of home-based interval exercise training on maximal endurance capacity and peak exercise capacity. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. METHODS: Twenty-six adults with complex congenital heart disease were recruited from specialized units for adult congenital heart disease. Patients were randomized to either an intervention group-12 weeks of home-based interval exercise training on a cycle ergometer (n = 16), or a control group (n = 10). The latter was instructed to maintain their habitual physical activities. An incremental cardiopulmonary exercise test and a constant work rate cardiopulmonary exercise test at 75% of peak workload were performed preintervention and postintervention. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients completed the protocol and were followed (intervention n = 13, control n = 10). Postintervention exercise time at constant work rate cardiopulmonary exercise test increased in the intervention group compared to controls (median[range] 12[-4 to 52]min vs 0[-4 to 5]min, P = .001). At incremental cardiopulmonary exercise test, peak VO2 increased 15% within the intervention group (P = .019) compared to 2% within the control group (P = .8). However, in comparison between the groups no difference was found (285[-200 to 535] ml/min vs 17[-380 to 306] ml/min, P = .10). In addition, peak workload at incremental cardiopulmonary exercise test increased in the intervention group compared to controls (20[-10 to 70]W vs 0[-20 to 15]W, P = .003). CONCLUSION: Home-based interval exercise training increased endurance capacity and peak exercise capacity in adults with complex congenital heart disease. Aerobic endurance might be more relevant than peak oxygen uptake with regard to daily activities, and therefore a more clinically relevant measure to evaluate.

Muscle function in adults with congenital heart disease.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to assess muscle function in a sample of Swedish adult men and women with congenital heart disease (ACHD) and to compare the results with published reference values in healthy adults. METHODS AND RESULTS: From April 2009 to December 2010, 762 adult outpatients were assessed for their suitability and individual need for tests of physical fitness. The patients performed five muscle function tests, two isotonic tests and three isometric tests. Of the 762 patients, 315 (41.3%) patients performed the tests. Patients with ACHD had lower isotonic muscle function compared to healthy reference values. In the heel lift test, men with ACHD performed at 63% and women at 58% of the healthy reference values and in the shoulder flexion test the corresponding performance level was 60% for men with ACHD and 85% for the women. Multiple regression analyses showed that NYHA class II-IV was a significant predictor for a lower isotonic muscle function i.e. heel lift in women (p<0.001) and men (p=0.05) and in shoulder flexion (p<0.001) in women, as well as in isometric knee extension (p=0.04) and isometric shoulder abduction (p<0.001) in women. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of muscle function in a broad and unselected group of patients with ACHD. Our data shows that patients with ACHD have lower isotonic muscle function. The impacts of low muscle function in activities of daily living and the question of whether muscle function could be improved with exercise training need further investigation.