Calf Muscle Oxygenation is Impaired and May Decline with Age in Young Patients with Total Cavopulmonary Connection.

Patients palliated with Total Cavopulmonary Connection have a lower muscle mass and a lower exercise capacity. We assessed calf muscle oxidative metabolism during and after heel raise exercise to exhaustion in young patients with TCPC compared to healthy peers. Near-infrared spectroscopy was used for measuring oxygen metabolism in the medial portion of the gastrocnemius muscle.

Appropriate heart rate during exercise in Fontan patients.

Objective: To evaluate heart rate against workload and oxygen consumption during exercise in Fontan patients.

Method: Fontan patients (n = 27) and healthy controls (n = 25) underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing with linear increase of load. Heart rate and oxygen uptake were measured during tests.

Physical exercise may improve sleep quality in children and adolescents with Fontan circulation.

Objective: To study physical activity and sleep in Fontan patients and healthy controls before and after an endurance training program, and after 1 year.

Method: Fontan patients (n = 30) and healthy controls (n = 25) wore accelerometers for seven consecutive days and nights during a school week before and after a 12-week endurance training program and after 1 year.

Results: Patients had similar sleep duration and sleep efficiency as healthy controls.

Impaired lung function in children and adolescents with Fontan circulation may improve after endurance training.

Objectives: The objective of this research was to study lung function, physical capacity, and effect of endurance training in children and adolescents after Fontan palliation compared with healthy matched controls.

Methods: Fontan patients (n=30) and healthy matched control patients (n=25) performed dynamic and static spirometry, and pulmonary diffusing capacity and maximal oxygen uptake tests, before and after a 12-week endurance training programme and at follow-up after 1 year.

Results: Fontan patients had a restrictive lung pattern, reduced pulmonary diffusing capacity (4.

Can endurance training improve physical capacity and quality of life in young Fontan patients?

Objective: Children after Fontan palliation have reduced exercise capacity and quality of life. Our aim was to study whether endurance training could improve physical capacity and quality of life in Fontan patients.

Methods: Fontan patients (n=30) and healthy age- and gender-matched control subjects (n=25) performed a 6-minute walk test at submaximal capacity and a maximal cycle ergometer test.

Reduced physical exercise and health-related quality of life after Fontan palliation.

Aim: A growing number of patients with Fontan circulation are reaching adulthood, and there is increasing concern about their physical performance and quality of life. This study compared self-reported exercise and measured activity with quality of life in patients after Fontan palliation and healthy controls.

Methods: Physical exercise during an average school week was reported by 30 Fontan circulation patients aged eight to 20 years, and 25 healthy controls, followed by accelerometer recordings over seven days.