Peak Oxygen Consumption Scaled to Body Composition Is Associated With Mortality and Morbidity in People With a Fontan Circulation.

Background: Peak oxygen consumption (peak O) is traditionally scaled by body mass, but it is most appropriately scaled by fat-free mass. However, it is unknown whether peak O scaled by fat-free mass is associated with mortality and morbidity in people with a Fontan circulation. The aim of this study was to assess the associations between different expressions of peak O with mortality and morbidity in people with a Fontan circulation.

Percentage Predicted Peak Oxygen Consumption in People With Fontan Circulation: A Rapid Systematic Scoping Review and Validation Study.

Background: Peak oxygen consumption (peak ) is routinely measured in people who have congenital heart disease and is reported as a percentage of predicted value, based upon age- and sex-matched normative reference values (NRVs). This study aimed to identify which NRVs are being used, assess whether NRVs are being applied appropriately, and evaluate if recommended NRVs are valid when applied to people with congenital heart disease.

Methods And Results: A systematic scoping review identified studies that reported peak percentage of predicted value in people with congenital heart disease.

A new protocol for a single-stage combined cardiopulmonary and echocardiography exercise test: a pilot study.

Aims: The value of cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) in managing cardiac disease is well known, but no standard CPET-ESE protocol is currently recommended. This pilot study aims to compare feasibility and cardiac function responses between a new high-intensity single-stage combined test (CPET-hiESE) and a standard maximal ESE (smESE).

Methods And Results: After screening and maximal CPET, all volunteers ( = 21) underwent three ESE modalities: (i) based on the gas exchange threshold (hiESE-GET, 40% of peak-GET, 6 min), (ii) based on heart rate (HR) (hiESE-HR, 80% of peak HR, 6 min), and (iii) smESE (85% of predicted peak HR for age, 3 min).

Analysing the Potency of a Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Using Reference Antisera from Heterologous Strains.

The potency of inactivated seasonal influenza vaccine is harmonised by establishing the haemagglutinin (HA) content using the compendial single radial diffusion (SRD) method. SRD reagents (antigens and antisera) are prepared, calibrated and distributed by regulatory agencies as standards for potency testing, following the biannual World Health Organization (WHO) announcements of the virus strains suitable for inclusion in the vaccine. The generation of a homologous hyperimmune sheep antiserum constrains the time to vaccine release.