Souilla, Luc; Department of Pediatric and Congenital Cardiology, Montpellier University Hospital, France
Werner, Oscar; Huguet, Helena; et al
JAMA Network Open,25/02/2025
- Key Points: Question: What are the levels of cardiopulmonary fitness among children and adolescents with inherited cardiac disease compared with healthy controls and the factors associated with maximum oxygen uptake (V̇o2 max) in young patients? Findings: This cross-sectional study with 207 participants showed lower levels of cardiopulmonary fitness among youths with inherited cardiac disease. The multivariable model explained 80% of V̇o2 max, including clinical, functional, sociodemographic, and behavioral parameters. Meaning: This study suggests that assessing cardiopulmonary fitness among children with inherited cardiac disease can be incorporated into the shared decision-making process for sports participation and may help identify eligible patients for early preventive cardiac rehabilitation programs. Importance: Historical restrictions on children with inherited cardiac arrhythmia or cardiomyopathy have been implemented to mitigate the potential risk of sudden death, but these limitations can be detrimental to overall health and cardiopulmonary fitness.
Objectives: To evaluate cardiopulmonary fitness and physical activity among children with inherited cardiac disease and identify the factors associated with maximum oxygen uptake (V̇o2 max) in this population.
Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional, multicenter, prospective controlled study was conducted in 7 tertiary care expert centers for inherited cardiac disease in France from February 1, 2021, to June 20, 2023, with a 2-week follow-up. Participants included 100 children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 years with inherited cardiac arrhythmia or cardiomyopathy who were compared with 107 sex- and age-matched controls.
Main Outcomes and Measures: Maximum oxygen uptake was assessed using cardiopulmonary exercise testing, and results were expressed using pediatric reference z score values. The main determinants of V̇o2 max included clinical (New York Heart Association [NYHA] functional class, treatment, echocardiographic, and electrocardiogram variables), functional (cardiopulmonary exercise test parameters), sociodemographic (sex, schooling, and parents’ education), and behavioral (physical activity and motivation) characteristics. Results: A total of 100 patients (mean [SD] age, 12.7 [3.1] years; 52 boys [52.0%]) and 107 controls (mean [SD] age, 11.7 [3.3] years; 54 boys [50.5%]) were included. The V̇o2 max was lower in patients than controls, expressed as z scores (mean [SD] score, −1.49 [1.48] vs −0.16 [0.97]; P <.001) or raw values (mean [SD] value, 32.2 [7.9] vs 40.2 [8.5] mL/kg/min; P <.001). Moderate to vigorous physical activity levels were lower in patients than in controls (mean [SD] level, 42.0 [23.6] vs 48.2 [20.4] min/d; P =.009). The final multivariable model explained 80% of the V̇o2 max by integrating clinical (lower NYHA functional class, absence of ventricular dilatation, and absence of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator), functional (higher forced vital capacity and ventilatory anaerobic threshold), sociodemographic (male sex, normal progression of schooling, and higher maternal educational level), and behavioral (higher self-reported physical activity and motivation toward physical activity) parameters.
Conclusions and Relevance: This cross-sectional study suggests that levels of cardiopulmonary fitness and physical activity were lower in children and adolescents with inherited cardiac disease than in healthy controls, even after adjusting for use of β-blockers and using modern pediatric reference models. Assessing cardiopulmonary fitness among children with inherited cardiac disease can contribute to engaging in a shared decision-making process for sports participation and preventive interventions, such as early cardiac rehabilitation programs. This cross-sectional study evaluates cardiopulmonary fitness and physical activity among children with inherited cardiac disease vs controls and identifies the factors associated with maximum oxygen uptake in this population.