A 12-week lifestyle intervention: effects on fatigue, fear, and nutritional status in children with a Fontan circulation.

Introduction: Children and adolescents with a Fontan circulation are less physically active compared to healthy peers. In the current study, effects of a 12-week lifestyle intervention on fatigue, fears regarding exercise, caloric intake, rest energy expenditure (REE), and body composition were measured in children with a Fontan circulation.

Methods: This study was a semi-cross-over randomized controlled trial.

Leg-focused high-weight resistance training improves ventricular stroke volume, exercise capacity and strength in young patients with a Fontan circulation.

Aims: Effective therapy to improve exercise capacity in Fontan patients is lacking. Leg-focused high-weight resistance training might augment the peripheral muscle pump and thereby improve exercise capacity.

Methods And Results: This randomized semi-cross-over controlled trial investigated the effects of a 12-week leg-focused high-weight resistance training plus high-protein diet, on (sub)maximal exercise capacity, cardiac function (assessed with cardiovascular magnetic resonance), muscle strength, and quality of life in paediatric Fontan patients.

Body composition in patients with Fontan physiology: a systematic review.

Fontan circulation is a highly abnormal circulatory state that may affect various organ systems. The effect on body composition is an important factor to assess the condition of the patient. This systematic review assesses body composition and possibly related adverse outcomes in patients with a Fontan circulation, to provide an overview of current insights.

Stress imaging in patients with a Fontan circulation: A systematic review.

Introduction: The aims of this study were to provide an overview of the cardiac stress response in Fontan patients and of the use, safety and clinical value of stress imaging in Fontan patients.

Methods: Studies evaluating cardiac function using stress imaging in Fontan patients published up until 12 December 2021 were included in this review.

Results: From 1603 potential studies, 32 studies met the inclusion criteria.

Challenges in body composition assessment using air-displacement plethysmography by BOD POD in pediatric and young adult patients.

Background & Aims: Air-Displacement-Plethysmography (ADP) by BOD POD is widely used for body fat assessment in children. Although validated in healthy subjects, studies about use in pediatric patients are lacking. We evaluated user experience and usability of ADP measurements with the BOD POD system in healthy children and pediatric and young adult patients.