Background
Pediatric heart transplant recipients have high‐risk cardiovascular profiles that can affect their long‐term outcomes; however, promoting exercise and healthy diet has not been a major focus in the field. The objective of this study was to test the feasibility and impact of a supervised exercise and diet intervention delivered via live videoconferencing in this population.
Methods and Results
Patients 8 to 19 years of age at least 1 year post heart transplantation were enrolled. The 12‐ to 16‐week intervention phase included live video–supervised exercise (×3/week) and nutrition (×1/week) sessions. The 12‐ to 16‐week maintenance phase included ×1/week live video–supervised exercise and nutrition sessions and ×2/week self‐directed exercise sessions. Cardiac, vascular, nutritional, and functional health indices were obtained at baseline, after intervention, and after maintenance. Fourteen patients (median age, 15.2; interquartile range, 14.3–16.7 years) at a median of 3.3 (interquartile range, 1.5–9.7) years after heart transplant completed the intervention. Patients attended 89.6±11% of exercise and 88.4±10% of nutrition sessions during the intervention and 93.4±11% of exercise and 92.3±11% of nutrition sessions during maintenance. After intervention, body mass index percentile (median, −27%;
P
=0.02), endothelial function (median, +0.29;
P
=0.04), maximum oxygen consumption (median, +2 mL/kg per minute;
P
=0.002). Functional Movement Screening total score (median, +2.5;
P
=0.002) and daily consumption of saturated fat (median, −6 g;
P
=0.02) improved significantly. After maintenance, improvements in maximum oxygen consumption (median, +3.2 mL/kg per minute;
P
=0.02) and Functional Movement Screening total score (median, +5;
P
=0.002) were sustained.
Conclusions
In pediatric heart transplant recipients, a live video–supervised exercise and diet intervention is feasible. Our results demonstrate excellent adherence with significant improvements in cardiovascular and functional health.
Clinical Trial Registration
URL
:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier:
NCT
02519946.
Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) is the "gold standard" by which to assess functional capacity; however, it is effort dependent. VO2@RER1.0 is defined when VO2 = VCO2. Between December 22, 1997 and November 9, 2004, 305 pediatric subjects underwent cycle ergometer cardiopulmonary exercise testing, exercised to exhaustion, and reached a peak respiratory exchange ratio > or = 1.10. Group 1 subjects achieved a peak VO2 > or = 80% of predicted VO2max; group 2 subjects achieved a peak VO2 < or = 60% of predicted VO2max; and group 3 subjects achieved a peak VO2 between 61 and 79% of predicted VO2max. Linear regression analysis was performed for VO2@RER1.0 as a function of predicted VO2 for group 1 subjects. A -2 SD regression line and equation was created. VO2@RER1.0 data from groups 2 and 3 were plotted onto the normative graph. Contingency table and relative-risk analysis showed that an abnormal VO2@RER1.0 predicted an abnormal peak VO2(positive-predictive value 83%, negative-predictive value 85%, sensitivity 84%, and specificity 84%). VO2@RER1.0 is a highly sensitive, specific, and predictive submaximal index of functional capacity. This submaximal index is easy to identify without subjectivity. This index may aid in the evaluation of subjects who cannot exercise to maximal parameters.
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