Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Improves Respiratory Muscle Function and Functional Capacity in Children with Congenital Heart Disease. A Prospective Cohort Study

Francisco José Ferrer-Sargues, Esteban Peiró-Molina, Pablo Salvador-Coloma, José Ignacio Carrasco Moreno, Ana Cano-Sánchez, María Isabel Vázquez-Arce, Beatriz Insa Albert, Pilar Sepulveda Sanchis and Maria Àngels Cebrià i Iranzo
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Francisco José Ferrer-Sargues: Department of Physiotherapy, Universidad Cardenal Herrera CEU, CEU Universities, 46115 Valencia, Spain
Esteban Peiró-Molina: Pediatric Cardiology Section, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain
Pablo Salvador-Coloma: Department of Physiotherapy, Universidad Cardenal Herrera CEU, CEU Universities, 46115 Valencia, Spain
José Ignacio Carrasco Moreno: Pediatric Cardiology Section, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain
Ana Cano-Sánchez: Pediatric Cardiology Section, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain
María Isabel Vázquez-Arce: Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine service, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain
Beatriz Insa Albert: Pediatric Cardiology Section, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain
Pilar Sepulveda Sanchis: Regenerative Medicine and Heart Transplantation Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain
Maria Àngels Cebrià i Iranzo: Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine service, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 12, 1-14

Abstract: Critical surgical and medical advances have shifted the focus of congenital heart disease (CHD) patients from survival to achievement of a greater health-related quality of life (HRQoL). HRQoL is influenced, amongst other factors, by aerobic capacity and respiratory muscle strength, both of which are reduced in CHD patients. This study evaluates the influence of a cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program (CPRP) on respiratory muscle strength and functional capacity. Fifteen CHD patients, ages 12 to 16, with reduced aerobic capacity in cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) were enrolled in a CPRP involving strength and aerobic training for three months. Measurements for comparison were obtained at the start, end, and six months after the CPRP. A significant improvement of inspiratory muscle strength was evidenced (maximum inspiratory pressure 21 cm H 2 O, 23%, p < 0.01). The six-minute walking test showed a statistically and clinically significant rise in walked distance (48 m, p < 0.01) and a reduction in muscle fatigue (1.7 out of 10 points, p = 0.017). These results suggest CPRP could potentially improve respiratory muscle function and functional capacity, with lasting results, in children with congenital heart disease, but additional clinical trials must be conducted to confirm this finding.

Keywords: congenital heart disease; cardiopulmonary rehabilitation; cardiac rehabilitation; children; pediatric; respiratory strength; inspiratory pressure; six-minute walking test; physical exercise training (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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