Effects of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation on the Muscle Function of Children with Congenital Heart Disease: A Prospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Critical medical and surgical advances have led to a shift in the care and management of children with congenital heart disease (CHD). These patients present with muscle deconditioning, which negatively influences their response to exercise, functional capacities, and quality of life. This study evaluates the influence of a cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program (CPRP) on the function of peripheral musculature of children with CHD. A single-center prospective cohort study was designed. Fifteen CHD subjects, between 12 and 16 years of age, with reduced aerobic capacity on a cardiopulmonary exercise test, were included in a three-month, 24-session CPRP. Measurements of the subjects’ handgrip strength, biceps brachii and quadriceps femoris strength, and triceps surae fatigue process were collected at the beginning of the program, after completion, and six months after the end of the intervention. A substantial and statistically significant improvement was observed in the subjects’ handgrip strength (kg) (p < 0.001), biceps brachii and quadriceps femoris strength (N) (p < 0.001), as well as triceps surae fatigue process (repetitions) (p = 0.018), with a maintenance of the results six months after the intervention. These results suggest that a CPRP could potentially improve the peripheral muscle function of children with CHD. Additional research is needed to confirm and expand on this hypothesis.

Facility-based and virtual cardiac rehabilitation in young patients with heart disease during the COVID-19 era

“…Muscular endurance (peak VO 2 , 6-minute walk distance) and strength (sit to stand, arm curls) improved in our cohort, which is consistent with other studies involving patients with HD 6, 25-31 . There was an improvement in muscular strength whether care was given facility-based or virtual, which is consistent with previous research 11, 29, 32 .…”

Efficacy and Safety of Minimally Invasive Transcatheter Closure of Congenital Heart Disease under the Guidance of Transesophageal Ultrasound: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Minimally invasive surgical closure integrates the related advantages of open-heart defect repair and percutaneous catheter closure under CPB, avoids the shortcomings of various surgical procedures, and shows the advantages of rapidness, convenience, strong applicability, flexible operation, and complementary internal and surgical procedures. Meanwhile, it can minimize the risk of operation, avoid the injury caused by X-ray and catheter intervention, improve the curative effect of operation, and effectively reduce the incidence of various complications [26,27]. The American Echocardiography Association recommends transesophageal echocardiography for preoperative diagnosis and guidance of transcatheter closure of ASD [26].…”

“…Meanwhile, it can minimize the risk of operation, avoid the injury caused by X-ray and catheter intervention, improve the curative effect of operation, and effectively reduce the incidence of various complications [26,27]. The American Echocardiography Association recommends transesophageal echocardiography for preoperative diagnosis and guidance of transcatheter closure of ASD [26]. Compared with TEE, the imaging effect of TEE is better; the ultrasonic probe stays in the patient's esophagus, which is adjacent to the heart, which avoids the interference of pneumonic lungs to the imaging effect, especially in the observation of the structure of the posterior part of the heart near the esophagus [27].…”

Peripheral and respiratory muscle strength in children and adolescents with CHD: systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Table 1 presents the selected articles and their main characteristics. Twelve articles assessed peripheral muscle strength 18,[26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36] and three assessed respiratory muscle strength. 5,8,37 The total sample size of the included studies was 1769.…”

“…5,8,37 The total sample size of the included studies was 1769. 5,8,18,[26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37] The studies comparing patients with CHD and healthy controls included 1202 participants in total, 27,33,34,36 and the studies only included patients with CHD had a total number of 567 participants. 5,8,18,26,[28][29][30][31][32]35,37 Regarding the studies with evaluation only of patients with CHD, the majority had undergone at least one surgical procedure and submitted it to cardiac training or rehabilitation.…”