Organized Sports Activities Are Safe for Children With Sickle Cell Disease: A Pilot Intervention Study.

Historically, children with sickle cell disease (SCD) are advised to refrain from sports activities, based on the assumption that physical exercise can trigger vaso-occlusive episodes. This pilot intervention study examined the safety (ie, no vaso-occlusive episodes) of a 10-week organized sports program for children with SCD. Eight children with SCD (5 boys/3 girls), aged 7 to 12 years old, received 10 training sessions (each 90 min) once a week. Training sessions were performed by a professional soccer club under the supervision of a medical team from the Wilhelmina Children's Hospital. During the study period, one child experienced a vaso-occlusive crisis, which could not be directly related to the organized sports program. None of the other children experienced vaso-occlusive episodes. The results of this study indicate that children with SCD can participate safely in moderate-intensity organized sports activities when personalized medical background and practical training information is shared with the trainer beforehand. All children continued their sports participation after the study period.

Lung function decline preceding chronic respiratory failure in spinal muscular atrophy: a national prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Progressive lung function decline, resulting in respiratory failure, is an important complication of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). The ability to predict the need for mechanical ventilation is important. We assessed longitudinal patterns of lung function prior to chronic respiratory failure in a national cohort of treatment-naïve children and adults with SMA, hypothesizing an accelerated decline prior to chronic respiratory failure. METHODS: We included treatment-naïve SMA patients participating in a prospective national cohort study if they required mechanical ventilation because of chronic respiratory failure and if lung function test results were available from the years prior to initiation of ventilation. We analyzed Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 s (FEV1), Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) and Maximum Expiratory Pressure (PEmax). We studied the longitudinal course using linear mixed-effects models. We compared patients who electively started mechanical ventilation compared to patients who could not be weaned after acute respiratory failure. RESULTS: We analyzed 385 lung function tests from 38 patients with SMA types 1c-3a. At initiation of ventilation median age was 18.8 years (IQR: 13.2-30.1) and median standardized FVC, FEV1 and PEF were 28.8% (95% CI: 23.5; 34.2), 28.8% (95% CI: 24.0; 33.7) and 30.0% (95% CI: 23.4; 36.7), with an average annual decline of 1.75% (95% CI: 0.86; 2.66), 1.72% (95% CI: 1.04; 2.40) and 1.65% (95% CI: 0.71; 2.59), respectively. Our data did not support the hypothesis of an accelerated decline prior to initiation of mechanical ventilation. Median PEmax was 35.3 cmH2O (95% CI: 29.4; 41.2) at initiation of mechanical ventilation and relatively stable in the years preceding ventilation. Median FVC, FEV1, PEF and PEmax were lower in patients who electively started mechanical ventilation (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patterns of lung function decline cannot predict impending respiratory failure: SMA is characterized by a gradual decline of lung function. We found no evidence for an accelerated deterioration. In addition, PEmax remains low and stable in the years preceding initiation of ventilation. Patients who electively started mechanical ventilation had more restrictive lung function at initiation of ventilation, compared to patients who could not be weaned after surgery or a respiratory tract infection.

Is Measuring Physical Literacy in School-Aged Children With Cystic Fibrosis or Congenital Heart Disease Needed?

PURPOSE: To explore the association between cardiorespiratory fitness and other physical literacy domains in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) or congenital heart disease (CHD). METHODS: In 28 children with CF (n = 10) or CHD (n = 18), aged 7 to 11 years, cardiorespiratory fitness and the following physical literacy domains were measured: ( a ) physical competence, ( b ) motivation and confidence, ( c ) knowledge and understanding, and ( d ) daily behavior (ie, self-perceived moderate-to-vigorous physical activity [MVPA]). RESULTS: Cardiorespiratory fitness was significantly associated with motivation and confidence and self-perceived MVPA. There were no other significant associations. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with self-perceived MVPA, motivation, and confidence in children with CF or CHD.

Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing Provides Additional Prognostic Information in Cystic Fibrosis.

RATIONALE: The prognostic value of cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) for survival in cystic fibrosis (CF) in the context of current clinical management, when controlling for other known prognostic factors, is unclear. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prognostic value of CPET-derived measures beyond peak oxygen uptake ( V. o2peak) following rigorous adjustment for other predictors. METHODS: Data from 10 CF centers in Australia, Europe, and North America were collected retrospectively. A total of 510 patients completed a cycle CPET between January 2000 and December 2007, of which 433 fulfilled the criteria for a maximal effort. Time to death/lung transplantation was analyzed using Cox proportional hazards regression. In addition, phenotyping using hierarchical Ward clustering was performed to characterize high-risk subgroups. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Cox regression showed, even after adjustment for sex, FEV1% predicted, body mass index (z-score), age at CPET, Pseudomonas aeruginosa status, and CF-related diabetes as covariates in the model, that V. o2peak in % predicted (hazard ratio [HR], 0.964; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.944-0.986), peak work rate (% predicted; HR, 0.969; 95% CI, 0.951-0.988), ventilatory equivalent for oxygen (HR, 1.085; 95% CI, 1.041-1.132), and carbon dioxide (HR, 1.060; 95% CI, 1.007-1.115) (all P < 0.05) were significant predictors of death or lung transplantation at 10-year follow-up. Phenotyping revealed that CPET-derived measures were important for clustering. We identified a high-risk cluster characterized by poor lung function, nutritional status, and exercise capacity. CONCLUSIONS: CPET provides additional prognostic information to established predictors of death/lung transplantation in CF. High-risk patients may especially benefit from regular monitoring of exercise capacity and exercise counseling.

Effects of a partially supervised conditioning programme in cystic fibrosis: an international multi-centre randomised controlled trial (ACTIVATE-CF): study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity (PA) and exercise have become an accepted and valued component of cystic fibrosis (CF) care. Regular PA and exercise can positively impact pulmonary function, improve physical fitness, and enhance health-related quality of life (HRQoL). However, motivating people to be more active is challenging. Supervised exercise programs are expensive and labour intensive, and adherence falls off significantly once supervision ends. Unsupervised or partially supervised programs are less costly and more flexible, but compliance can be more problematic. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of a partially supervised exercise intervention along with regular motivation on forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) at 6 months in a large international group of CF patients. Secondary endpoints include patient reported HRQoL, as well as levels of anxiety and depression, and control of blood sugar. METHODS/DESIGN: It is planned that a total of 292 patients with CF 12 years and older with a FEV1 ≥ 35% predicted shall be randomised. Following baseline assessments (2 visits) patients are randomised into an intervention and a control group. Thereafter, they will be seen every 3 months for assessments in their centre for one year (4 follow-up visits). Along with individual counselling to increase vigorous PA by at least 3 h per week on each clinic visit, the intervention group documents daily PA and inactivity time and receives a step counter to record their progress within a web-based diary. They also receive monthly phone calls from the study staff during the first 6 months of the study. After 6 months, they continue with the step counter and web-based programme for a further 6 months. The control group receives standard care and keeps their PA level constant during the study period. Thereafter, they receive the intervention as well. DISCUSSION: This is the first large, international multi-centre study to investigate the effects of a PA intervention in CF with motivational feedback on several health outcomes using modern technology. Should this relatively simple programme prove successful, it will be made available on a wider scale internationally. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01744561 ; Registration date: December 6, 2012.

[Improving pre- and perioperative hospital care : Major elective surgery]. / Verbesserung des prä- und postoperativen Behandlungskonzepts : Große elektiv-chirurgische Eingriffe.

Surgery is aimed at improving a patient's health. However, surgery is plagued with a risk of negative consequences, such as perioperative complications and prolonged hospitalization. Also, achieving preoperative levels of physical functionality may be delayed. Above all, the "waiting" period before the operation and the period of hospitalisation endanger the state of health, especially in frail patients.The Better in Better out™ (BiBo™) strategy is aimed at reducing the risk of a complicated postoperative course through the optimisation and professionalisation of perioperative treatment strategies in a physiotherapy activating context. BiBo™ includes four steps towards optimising personalised health care in patients scheduled for elective surgery: 1) preoperative risk assessment, 2) preoperative patient education, 3) preoperative exercise therapy for high-risk patients (prehabilitation) and 4) postoperative mobilisation and functional exercise therapy.Preoperative screening is aimed at identifying frail, high-risk patients at an early stage, and advising these high-risk patients to participate in outpatient exercise training (prehabilitation) as soon as possible. By improving preoperative physical fitness, a patient is able to better withstand the impact of major surgery and this will lead to both a reduced risk of negative side effects and better short-term outcomes as a result. Besides prehabilitation, treatment culture and infrastructure should be inherently changing in such a way that patients stay as active as they can, socially, mentally and physically after discharge.

Feasibility of Hypoxic Challenge Testing in Children and Adolescents with Congenital Heart and Lung Disease.

BACKGROUND: This is a cross-sectional observational study to investigate the safety and feasibility of integrating changing body positions and physical activity in a hypoxic challenge test (HCT). The secondary objective was to compare oxygen saturation (Spo2) in two different locations (forehead and finger). METHODS: Included were 12 pediatric to young adult patients with congenital heart (N = 7) or lung disease (N = 5). An HCT was performed using breathing room air (21% oxygen) while sitting and breathing a normobaric hypoxic gas mixture (15% oxygen) through a facemask while seated, lying supine, standing, walking 3 km/h, and walking 5 km/h in a nonrandomized order. RESULTS: All patients, except one, successfully passed the HCT. Three patients reported symptoms, possibly related to hypoxia. Median Spo2 during the HCT decreased in all body positions compared with room air. In 9/12 (finger oximeter) vs. 6/12 (forehead oximeter) patients Spo2 decreased below 90% in one or more body positions at rest. In 11/12 (finger oximeter) vs. 3/12 (forehead oximeter) patients Spo2 decreased below 90% during mild exercise. There was no significant difference in Spo2 between the different body positions. However, patients desaturated significantly more during mild exercise (walking 3km/h and 5 km/h). Spo2% measured at the forehead gave significantly higher values compared to the index finger. DISCUSSION: HCT is safe and feasible in children and adolescents with congenital heart or lung disease, and gives additional information about oxygenation during physical activity in addition to resting conditions. Simulated hypoxia of 8202 ft (2500 m) induced a small but significant decrease in Spo2%.Spoorenberg ME, Hulzebos EHJ, Takken T. Feasibility of hypoxic challenge testing in children and adolescents with congenital heart and lung disease. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2016; 87(12):1004-1009.

Statement on Exercise Testing in Cystic Fibrosis.

This statement summarizes the information available on specific exercise test protocols and outcome parameters used in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and provides expert consensus recommendations for protocol and performance of exercise tests and basic interpretation of results for clinicians. The conclusions were reached employing consensus meetings and a wide-band Delphi process. Although data on utility are currently limited, standardized exercise testing provides detailed information on physiological health, allows screening for exercise-related adverse reactions and enables exercise counselling. The Godfrey Cycle Ergometer Protocol with monitoring of oxygen saturation and ventilatory gas exchange is recommended for exercise testing in people 10 years and older. Cycle ergometry only with pulse oximetry using the Godfrey protocol or treadmill exercise with pulse oximetry - preferably with measurement of gas exchange - are second best options. Peak oxygen uptake, if assessed, and maximal work rate should be reported as the primary measure of exercise capacity. The final statement was reviewed by the European Cystic Fibrosis society and revised based on the comments received. The document was endorsed by the European Respiratory Society.

Physical activity assessment in cystic fibrosis: A position statement.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this position statement was to inform the choice of physical activity tools for use within CF research and clinical settings. METHODS: A systematic review of physical activity tools to explore evidence for reliability, validity, and responsiveness. Narrative answers to "four key questions" on motion sensors, questionnaires and diaries were drafted by the core writing team and then discussed at the Exercise Working Group in ECFS Lisbon 2013. RESULTS AND SUMMARY: Our current position is that activity monitors such as SenseWear or ActiGraph offer informed choices to facilitate a comprehensive assessment of physical activity, and should as a minimum report on dimensions of physical activity including energy expenditure, step count and time spent in different intensities and sedentary time. The DigiWalker pedometer offers an informed choice of a comparatively inexpensive method of obtaining some measurement of physical activity. The HAES represents an informed choice of questionnaire to assess physical activity. There is insufficient data to recommend the use of one diary over another. Future research should focus on providing additional evidence of clinimetric properties of these and new physical activity assessment tools, as well as further exploring the added value of physical activity assessment in CF.

Ventilatory response to exercise in adolescents with cystic fibrosis and mild-to-moderate airway obstruction.

Data regarding the ventilatory response to exercise in adolescents with mild-to-moderate cystic fibrosis (CF) are equivocal. This study aimed to describe the ventilatory response during a progressive cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) up to maximal exertion, as well as to assess the adequacy of the ventilatory response for carbon dioxide (CO2) exhalation. Twenty-two adolescents with CF (12 boys and 10 girls; mean ± SD age: 14.3 ± 1.3 years; FEV1: 78.6 ± 17.3% of predicted) performed a maximal CPET. For each patient, data of a sex- and age matched healthy control was included (12 boys and 10 girls; mean ± SD age: 14.3 ± 1.4 years). At different relative exercise intensities of 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), breathing pattern, estimated ventilatory dead space ventilation (VD/VT ratio), minute ventilation (VE) to CO2 production relationship (VE/VCO2-slope), partial end-tidal CO2 tension (PETCO2), and the VE to the work rate (VE/WR) ratio were examined. VO2peak was significantly reduced in CF patients (P = 0.01). We found no differences in breathing pattern between both groups, except for a significantly higher VE at rest and a trend towards a lower VE at peak exercise in patients with CF. Significantly higher values were found for the estimated VD/VT ratio throughout the CPET in CF patients (P < 0.01). VE/VCO2-slope and PETCO2 values differed not between the two groups throughout the CPET. VE/WR ratio values were significantly higher in CF during the entire range of the CPET (P < 0.01). This study found an exaggerated ventilatory response (high VE/WR ratio values), which was adequate for CO2 exhalation (normal VE/VCO2-slope and PETCO2 values) during progressive exercise up to maximal exhaustion in CF patients with mild-to-moderate airway obstruction.

Prediction of mortality in adolescents with cystic fibrosis.

INTRODUCTION: Lung function, nutritional status, and parameters of exercise capacity are known predictors of mortality in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). The aim of the current study was to use these important parameters to develop a multivariate model to predict mortality in adolescent patients with CF. METHODS: A total of 127 adolescents with CF (57 girls) with a mean age of 12.7 ± 0.9 yr and a mean percentage of predicted forced expired volume in 1 s (FEV1% predicted) of 77.7% ± 15.6% were included. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing-derived parameters, nutritional status, and resting lung functions were dichotomized according to the criterion value determined using receiver operating characteristic curves. Body mass index (BMI), FEV1%predicted, predicted peak oxygen uptake corrected for body weight (VO2 peak/kg%predicted), peak minute ventilation (VE peak), peak VE/VO2, peak VE/VCO2, and breathing reserve were included in a multivariate model. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine the combination of parameters that best predicted mortality and/or lung transplantation. RESULTS: The mean duration of follow-up was 7.5 ± 2.7 yr, during which, nine of the 127 patients (7.1%) died and six (4.7%) underwent lung transplantation. Mortality in this population was best predicted by the model that included FEV1%predicted (hazard ratio, 17.13; 95% confidence interval (CI), 3.76-78.06), peak VE/VO2 (hazard ratio, 5.92; 95% CI, 1.27-27.63), and BMI (hazard ratio, 5.54; 95% CI, 1.82-16.83). CONCLUSIONS: The currently developed model consisting of BMI, FEV1%predicted, and VE/VO2 is a strong predictor of mortality rate in adolescents with CF. This prediction equation may be useful in clinical practice to detect patients with a high risk of mortality and to provide them with additional therapy earlier.

Merits of exercise therapy before and after major surgery.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Advances in medical care have led to an increasing elderly population. Elderly individuals should be able to participate in society as long as possible. However, with an increasing age their adaptive capacity gradually decreases, specially before and after major life events (like hospitalization and surgery) making them vulnerable to reduced functioning and societal participation. Therapeutic exercise before and after surgery might augment the postoperative outcomes by improving functional status and reducing the complication and mortality rate. RECENT FINDINGS: There is high quality evidence that preoperative exercise in patients scheduled for cardiovascular surgery is well tolerated and effective. Moreover, there is circumstantial evidence suggesting preoperative exercise for thoracic, abdominal and major joint replacement surgery is effective, provided that this is offered to the high-risk patients. Postoperative exercise should be initiated as soon as possible after surgery according to fast-track or enhanced recovery after surgery principles. SUMMARY: The perioperative exercise training protocol known under the name 'Better in, Better out' could be implemented in clinical care for the vulnerable group of patients scheduled for major elective surgery who are at risk for prolonged hospitalization, complications and/or death. Future research should aim to include this at-risk group, evaluate perioperative high-intensity exercise interventions and conduct adequately powered trials.

Estimating peak oxygen uptake in adolescents with cystic fibrosis.

OBJECTIVES: To predict peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak) from the peak work rate (W peak) obtained during a cycle ergometry test using the Godfrey protocol in adolescents with cystic fibrosis (CF), and assess the accuracy of the model for prognostication clustering. METHODS: Out of our database of anthropometric, spirometric and maximal exercise data from adolescents with CF (N=363; 140 girls and 223 boys; age 14.77 ± 1.73 years; mean expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1%pred) 86.82 ± 17.77%), a regression equation was developed to predict VO2 peak (mL/min). Afterwards, this prediction model was validated with cardiopulmonary exercise data from another 60 adolescents with CF (28 girls, 32 boys; mean age 14.6 ± 1.67 years; mean FEV1%pred 85.43 ± 20.01%). RESULTS: We developed a regression model VO2 peak (mL/min)=216.3-138.7 × sex (0=male; 1=female)+11.5 × W peak; R(2)=0.91; SE of the estimate (SEE) 172.57. A statistically significant difference (107 mL/min; p<0.001) was found between predicted VO2 peak and measured VO2 peak in the validation group. However, this difference was not clinically relevant because the difference was within the SEE of the model. Furthermore, we found high positive predictive and negative predictive values for the model for prognostication clustering (PPV 50-87% vs NPV 82-94%). CONCLUSIONS: In the absence of direct VO2 peak assessment it is possible to estimate VO2 peak in adolescents with CF using only a cycle ergometer. Furthermore, the regression model showed to be able to discriminate patients in different prognosis clusters based on exercise capacity.

Effect of inspiratory muscle training before cardiac surgery in routine care.

BACKGROUND: Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) before cardiac surgery has proved to be a promising intervention to reduce postoperative pneumonia in a randomized controlled trial setting. Effects of IMT in routine care have not been reported. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of IMT before cardiac surgery on postoperative pneumonia in routine care at a Dutch university medical center using propensity scoring. DESIGN: This was an observational cohort study. METHODS: All candidates for cardiac surgery were preoperatively stratified by a physical therapist for low risk or high risk for postoperative pulmonary complications. Patients at high risk either engaged in an unsupervised IMT program (20 minutes a day) at home for at least 2 weeks before surgery (group 1) or received usual care (no IMT) (group 2). Results in terms of outcome measures were adjusted with propensity scores to reduce bias caused by nonrandom treatment assignment. RESULTS: The results showed that of the 94 patients at high risk in group 1, 1 patient (1.1%) developed a postoperative pneumonia. In group 2, 8 out of the 252 patients at high risk (3.2%) developed this pulmonary complication (adjusted odds ratio=0.34, 95% confidence interval=0.04-3.38). No significant differences were found regarding median (25th-75th percentile) ventilation time (7 [5-9] hours versus 7 [5-10] hours), length of stay in the intensive care unit (23 [21-24] hours versus 23 [21-25] hours), or total postoperative length of stay (7 [6-11] days versus 7 [5-9] days). LIMITATIONS: The most important limitations of this study were confounding, incomplete data collection, and a low incidence of the primary outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Propensity scoring is believed to be a valuable tool of great potential interest to researchers in the field of observational studies. Whether IMT in routine care resulted in less postoperative pneumonia cannot be concluded.

Preoperative physical therapy for elective cardiac surgery patients.

BACKGROUND: After cardiac surgery, physical therapy is a routine procedure delivered with the aim of preventing postoperative pulmonary complications. OBJECTIVES: To determine if preoperative physical therapy with an exercise component can prevent postoperative pulmonary complications in cardiac surgery patients, and to evaluate which type of patient benefits and which type of physical therapy is most effective. SEARCH METHODS: Searches were run on the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) on the Cochrane Library (2011, Issue 12 ); MEDLINE (1966 to 12 December 2011); EMBASE (1980 to week 49, 2011); the Physical Therapy Evidence Database (PEDro) (to 12 December 2011) and CINAHL (1982 to 12 December 2011). SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials or quasi-randomised trials comparing preoperative physical therapy with no preoperative physical therapy or sham therapy in adult patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data were collected on the type of study, participants, treatments used, primary outcomes (postoperative pulmonary complications grade 2 to 4: atelectasis, pneumonia, pneumothorax, mechanical ventilation > 48 hours, all-cause death, adverse events) and secondary outcomes (length of hospital stay, physical function measures, health-related quality of life, respiratory death, costs). Data were extracted by one review author and checked by a second review author. Review Manager 5.1 software was used for the analysis. MAIN RESULTS: Eight randomised controlled trials with 856 patients were included. Three studies used a mixed intervention (including either aerobic exercises or breathing exercises); five studies used inspiratory muscle training. Only one study used sham training in the controls. Patients that received preoperative physical therapy had a reduced risk of postoperative atelectasis (four studies including 379 participants, relative risk (RR) 0.52; 95% CI 0.32 to 0.87; P = 0.01) and pneumonia (five studies including 448 participants, RR 0.45; 95% CI 0.24 to 0.83; P = 0.01) but not of pneumothorax (one study with 45 participants, RR 0.12; 95% CI 0.01 to 2.11; P = 0.15) or mechanical ventilation for > 48 hours after surgery (two studies with 306 participants, RR 0.55; 95% CI 0.03 to 9.20; P = 0.68). Postoperative death from all causes did not differ between groups (three studies with 552 participants, RR 0.66; 95% CI 0.02 to 18.48; P = 0.81). Adverse events were not detected in the three studies that reported on them. The length of postoperative hospital stay was significantly shorter in experimental patients versus controls (three studies with 347 participants, mean difference -3.21 days; 95% CI -5.73 to -0.69; P = 0.01). One study reported a reduced physical function measure on the six-minute walking test in experimental patients compared to controls. One other study reported a better health-related quality of life in experimental patients compared to controls. Postoperative death from respiratory causes did not differ between groups (one study with 276 participants, RR 0.14; 95% CI 0.01 to 2.70; P = 0.19). Cost data were not reported on. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Evidence derived from small trials suggests that preoperative physical therapy reduces postoperative pulmonary complications (atelectasis and pneumonia) and length of hospital stay in patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery. There is a lack of evidence that preoperative physical therapy reduces postoperative pneumothorax, prolonged mechanical ventilation or all-cause deaths.

Validity of the oxygen uptake efficiency slope in children with cystic fibrosis and mild-to-moderate airflow obstruction.

PURPOSE: The oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES) has been proposed as an 'effort-independent' measure of cardiopulmonary exercise capacity, which could be used as an alternative measurement for peak oxygen uptake (VO(2peak)) in populations unable or unwilling to perform maximal exercise. The aim of the current study was to investigate the validity of the OUES in children with cystic fibrosis (CF). METHODS: Exercise data of 22 children with CF and mild to moderate airflow obstruction were analyzed and compared with exercise data of 22 healthy children. The OUES was calculated using data up to three different relative exercise intensities, namely 50%, 75%, and 100% of the total exercise duration, and normalized for body surface area (BSA). RESULTS: Only the OUES/BSA using the first 50% of the total exercise duration was significantly different between the groups. OUES/BSA values determined at different exercise intensities differed significantly within patients with CF and correlated only moderately with VO(2peak) and the ventilatory threshold. CONCLUSION: The OUES is not a valid submaximal measure of cardiopulmonary exercise capacity in children with mild to moderate CF, due to its limited distinguishing properties, its nonlinearity throughout progressive exercise, and its moderate correlation with VO(2peak) and the ventilatory threshold.

Feasibility of preoperative inspiratory muscle training in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery with a high risk of postoperative pulmonary complications: a randomized controlled pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine in a pilot study the feasibility and effects of preoperative inspiratory muscle training in patients at high risk of postoperative pulmonary complications who were scheduled for coronary artery bypass graft surgery. DESIGN: Single-blind, randomized controlled pilot study. SETTING: University Medical Centre Utrecht, the Netherlands. SUBJECTS: Twenty-six patients at high risk of postoperative pulmonary complications were selected. INTERVENTION: The intervention group (N = 14) received 2-4 weeks of preoperative inspiratory muscle training on top of the usual care received by the patients in the control group. MAIN MEASURES: Primary outcome variables of feasibility were the occurrence of adverse events, and patient satisfaction and motivation. Secondary outcome variables were postoperative pulmonary complications and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: The feasibility of inspiratory muscle training was good and no adverse events were observed. Treatment satisfaction and motivation, scored on 10-point scales, were 7.9 (+/- 0.7) and 8.2 (+/- 1.0), respectively. Postoperative atelectasis occurred in significantly fewer patients in the intervention group than in the control group (kappa(2)(DF1) = 3.85; P = 0.05): Length of hospital stay was 7.93 (+/- 1.94) days in the intervention group and 9.92 (+/- 5.78) days in the control group (P = 0.24). CONCLUSION: Inspiratory muscle training for 2-4 weeks before coronary artery bypass graft surgery was well tolerated by patients at risk of postoperative pulmonary complications and prevented the occurrence of atelectasis in these patients. A larger randomized clinical trial is warranted.

Preoperative intensive inspiratory muscle training to prevent postoperative pulmonary complications in high-risk patients undergoing CABG surgery: a randomized clinical trial.

CONTEXT: Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery are a major source of morbidity and mortality, and increase length of hospital stay and resource utilization. The prehospitalization period before CABG surgery may be used to improve a patient's pulmonary condition. The efficacy of preoperative inspiratory muscle training (IMT) in reducing the incidence of PPCs in high-risk patients undergoing CABG surgery has not yet been determined. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prophylactic efficacy of preoperative IMT on the incidence of PPCs in high-risk patients scheduled for elective CABG surgery. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: A single-blind, randomized clinical trial conducted at the University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands, with enrollment between July 2002 and August 2005. Of 655 patients referred for elective CABG surgery, 299 (45.6%) met criteria for high risk of developing PPCs, of whom 279 were enrolled and followed up until discharge from hospital. INTERVENTION: Patients were randomly assigned to receive either preoperative IMT (n = 140) or usual care (n = 139). Both groups received the same postoperative physical therapy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence of PPCs, especially pneumonia, and duration of postoperative hospitalization. RESULTS: Both groups were comparable at baseline. After CABG surgery, PPCs were present in 25 (18.0%) of 139 patients in the IMT group and 48 (35.0%) of 137 patients in the usual care group (odds ratio [OR], 0.52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.30-0.92). Pneumonia occurred in 9 (6.5%) of 139 patients in the IMT group and in 22 (16.1%) of 137 patients in the usual care group (OR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.19-0.84). Median duration of postoperative hospitalization was 7 days (range, 5-41 days) in the IMT group vs 8 days (range, 6-70 days) in the usual care group by Mann-Whitney U statistic (z = -2.42; P = .02). CONCLUSION: Preoperative IMT reduced the incidence of PPCs and duration of postoperative hospitalization in patients at high risk of developing a pulmonary complication undergoing CABG surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: isrctn.org Identifier: ISRCTN17691887.

Prediction of postoperative pulmonary complications on the basis of preoperative risk factors in patients who had undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Pulmonary complications are among the most frequently reported complications after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. However, the risks of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) are not equal for all patients. The aim of this study was to develop a model, based on preoperative factors, for classifying patients with high and low risks for PPCs in order to implement tailored interventions. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Postoperative pulmonary complications were examined in 117 adult patients who had undergone elective CABG surgery at the University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands. The presence of preoperative risk factors (N=12) that have been described in the literature was noted for each patient. A risk model was developed by use of logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Preoperative risk factors for developing PPCs were an age of (>/=70 years, productive cough, diabetes mellitus, and a history of cigarette smoking. Protective factors against the development of PPCs were a predicted inspiratory vital capacity of (>/=75% and a predicted maximal expiratory pressure of (>/=75%. These risk and protective factors were included in the model (sensitivity=87% and specificity=56%), and a sum score for its clinical use was generated. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Six factors that can be determined easily before surgery, with need for only simple pulmonary testing, can provide a model for identifying patients at risk of developing PPCs after CABG surgery.