Exercise capacity in patients with a LVAD increases over time; 12 weeks after LVAD implantation, Vo2 is comparable to that at 12 weeks and one year after HTx. Previous LVAD implantation does not seem to adversely affect exercise capacity after HTx.

Background: Measurement of respiratory muscle function is important in the diagnosis of respiratory muscle disease, respiratory failure, to assess the impact of chronic diseases, and/or to evaluate respiratory muscle function after treatment. Objectives: To establish reference values for maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure, and the tension-time index at rest in healthy children and adolescents aged 8–19 years, as well as to present sex- and age-related reference centiles normalized for demographic and anthropometric determinants. Methods: In this cross-sectional observational study, demographic, anthropometric, and spirometric data were assessed, as well as data on respiratory muscle strength (P_Imax and P_Emax) and work of breathing at rest (T_T0.1), in a total of 251 children (117 boys and 134 girls; mean age 13.4 ± 2.9 years). Reference values are presented as reference centiles developed by use of the lambda, mu, sigma method. Results: Boys had significantly higher P_Imax and P_Emax values. Next to sex and age, fat-free mass appeared to be an important predictor of respiratory muscle strength. Reference centiles demonstrated a slight, almost linear increase in P_Imax with age in boys, and a less steep increase with age in girls. T_T0.1 values did not differ between boys and girls and decreased linearly with age. Conclusion: This study provides reference values for respiratory muscle strength and work of breathing at rest. In addition to sex and age, fat-free mass was found to be an important predictor of respiratory muscle strength in boys and girls.

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