Category Archives: Abstracts

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing has greater prognostic value than sarcopenia in oesophago-gastric cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant therapy and surgical resection

Malcolm A West FRCS, PhD, William CA Baker BMBS, Saqib Rahman MRCS, Alicia Munro BMBS, Sandy Jack PhD, Michael PW Grocott MD, FRCA, Timothy J Underwood FRCS, PhD, Denny ZH Levett FRCA, PhD, For the Fit-4-Surgery Consortium

Journal of Surgical Oncology; 31 August 2021
https://doi.org/10.1002/jso.26652

Background
Sarcopenia (low skeletal muscle mass), myosteatosis (low skeletal muscle radiation-attenuation) and fitness are independently associated with postoperative outcomes in oesophago-gastric cancer. This study aimed to investigate (1) the effect of neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) on sarcopenia, myosteatosis and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), (2) the relationship between these parameters, and (3) their association with postoperative morbidity and survival.
Methods
Body composition analysis used single slice computed tomography (CT) images from chest (superior to aortic arch) and abdominal CT scans (third lumbar vertebrae). Oxygen uptake at anaerobic threshold (VO2 at AT) and at peak exercise (VO2 Peak) were measured using CPET. Measurements were performed before and after NAT and an adjusted regression model assessed their association.
 Results
Of the 184 patients recruited, 100 underwent surgical resection. Following NAT skeletal muscle mass, radiation-attenuation and fitness reduced significantly (p < 0.001). When adjusted for age, sex, and body mass index, only pectoralis muscle mass was associated with VO2 Peak (p = 0.001). VO2 at AT and Peak were associated with 1-year survival, while neither sarcopenia nor myosteatosis were associated with morbidity or survival.
Conclusion
Skeletal muscle and CPET variables reduced following NAT and were positively associated with each other. Cardiorespiratory function significantly contributes to short-term survival after oesophago-gastric cancer surgery.

Heart Rate Variability and Its Associations with Organ Complications in Adults after Fontan Operation.

Okólska M; Łach J; Matusik PT; Pająk J;Mroczek T; Podolec P; Tomkiewicz-Pająk L;

Journal of clinical medicine [J Clin Med] 2021 Sep 29; Vol. 10 (19).
Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Sep 29.

Reduction of heart rate variability (HRV) parameters may be a risk factor and precede the occurrence of arrhythmias or the development of heart failure and complications in people with postinfarct left ventricular dysfunction and after coronary artery bypass grafting. Data on this issue in adults after a Fontan operation (FO) are scarce. This study assessed the association between HRV, exercise capacity, and multiorgan complications in adults after FO. Data were obtained from 30 FO patients (mean age 24 ± 5.4 years) and 30 healthy controls matched for age and sex. HRV was investigated in all patients by clinical examination, laboratory tests, echocardiography, a cardiopulmonary exercise test, and 24-h electrocardiogram. The HRV parameters were reduced in the FO group. Reduced HRV parameters were associated with patients’ age at the time of FO, time since surgery, impaired exercise capacity, chronotropic incompetence parameters, and multiorgan complications. Univariate analysis showed that saturated O 2 at rest, percentage difference between adjacent NN intervals of >50 ms duration, and peak heart rate were associated with chronotropic index. Multivariable analysis revealed that all three variables were independent predictors of the chronotropic index. The results of this study suggest novel pathophysiological mechanisms that link HRV, physical performance, and organ damage in patients after FO.

COVID-19: the new cause of dyspnoea as a result of reduced lung and peripheral muscle performance.

Acar RD; Sarıbaş E; Güney PA; Kafkas Ç; Aydınlı D; Taşçı E; Kırali MK;

Journal of breath research [J Breath Res] 2021 Oct 04; Vol. 15 (4).
Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Oct 04.

This study aimed to evaluate the cardiopulmonary function and impairment of exercise endurance in patients with COVID-19 after 3 months of the second wave of the pandemic in Turkey. A total of 51 consecutive COVID-19 survivors, mostly healthcare providers, still working in the emergency room and intensive care units of the hospital after the second wave of Covid 19 pandemia were included in this study. Cardiopulmonary exercise stress test was performed. The median of the exercise time of the COVID-19 survivors, was 10 (4.5-13) minutes and the mean 6.8 ± 1.3 Mets was achieved. The VO 2 max of the COVID-19 survivors was 24 ± 4.6 ml kg -1 min -1 which corresponds the 85 ± 10% of the predicted VO 2 max value. The VO 2 WRs value which was reported about 8.5-11 ml min -1 per watt in healthy individuals as normal was found lower in Covid 19 survivors (5.6 ± 1.4). The percentage of the maximum peak VO 2 calculated according to the predictable peak VO 2 of the COVID-19 survivors, was found significantly lower in male patients (92 ± 9.5% vs 80 ± 8.5%, p : 0.000). Also, there was a positive correlation between the percentage of the maximum predicted VO 2 measurements and age ( r : 0.320, p : 0000). The peak VO 2 values of COVID-19 survivors decreased, and simultaneously, their exercise performance decreased due to peripheral muscle involvement. We believe that COVID-19 significantly affects men and young patients.

Differences in Peak Oxygen Uptake in Bicycle Exercise Test Caused by Body Positions: A Meta-Analysis.

Wan X; Liu C; Olson TP;Chen X; Lu W; Jiang W;

Frontiers in cardiovascular medicine [Front Cardiovasc Med] 2021 Oct 11; Vol. 8, pp. 734687.
Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Oct 11 (Print Publication: 2021).

Background: As demand for cardiopulmonary exercise test using a supine position has increased, so have the testing options. However, it remains uncertain whether the existing evaluation criteria for the upright position are suitable for the supine position. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to compare the differences in peak oxygen uptake (VO 2peak ) between upright and supine lower extremity bicycle exercise.
Methods: We searched PubMed, Web Of Science and Embase from inception to March 27, 2021. Self-control studies comparing VO 2peak between upright and supine were included. The quality of the included studies was assessed using a checklist adapted from published papers in this field. The effect of posture on VO 2peak was pooled using random/fixed effects model.
Results: This meta-analysis included 32 self-control studies, involving 546 participants (63% were male). 21 studies included only healthy people, 9 studies included patients with cardiopulmonary disease, and 2 studies included both the healthy and cardiopulmonary patients. In terms of study quality, most of the studies ( n = 21, 66%) describe the exercise protocol, and we judged theVO 2peak to be valid in 26 (81%) studies. Meta-analysis showed that the upright VO 2peak exceeded the supine VO 2peak [relative VO 2peak : mean difference (MD) 2.63 ml/kg/min, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.66-3.59, I2 = 56%, p < 0.05; absolute VO 2peak : MD 0.18 L/min, 95% CI 0.10-0.26, I2 = 63%, p < 0.05). Moreover, subgroup analysis showed there was more pooled difference in healthy people (4.04 ml/kg/min or 0.22 L/min) than in cardiopulmonary patients (1.03 ml/kg/min or 0.12 L/min).
Conclusion: VO 2peak in the upright position is higher than that in supine position. However, whether this difference has clinical significance needs further verification.

Multimodal Prehabilitation During Neoadjuvant Therapy Prior to Esophagogastric Cancer Resection: Effect on Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test Performance, Muscle Mass and Quality of Life-A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial.

Allen SK; Brown V;White D; King D; Hunt J; Wainwright J; Emery A; Hodge E; Kehinde A; Prabhu P; Rockall TA; Preston SR; Sultan J;

Annals of surgical oncology [Ann Surg Oncol] 2021 Nov 01.
Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Nov 01.

Background: Neoadjuvant therapy reduces fitness, muscle mass, and quality of life (QOL). For patients undergoing chemotherapy and surgery for esophagogastric cancer, maintenance of fitness is paramount. This study investigated the effect of exercise and psychological prehabilitation on anaerobic threshold (AT) at cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). Secondary endpoints included peak oxygen uptake (peak VO 2 ), skeletal muscle mass, QOL, and neoadjuvant therapy completion.
Methods: This parallel-arm randomized controlled trial assigned patients with locally advanced esophagogastric cancer to receive prehabilitation or usual care. The 15-week program comprised twice-weekly supervised exercises, thrice-weekly home exercises, and psychological coaching. CPET was performed at baseline, 2 weeks after neoadjuvant therapy, and 1 week preoperatively. Skeletal muscle cross-sectional area at L3 was analyzed on staging and restaging computed tomography. QOL questionnaires were completed at baseline, mid-neoadjuvant therapy, at restaging laparoscopy, and postoperatively at 2 weeks, 6 weeks and 6 months.
Results: Fifty-four participants were randomized (prehabilitation group, n = 26; control group, n = 28). No difference in AT between groups was observed post-neoadjuvant therapy. Prehabilitation resulted in an attenuated peak VO 2 decline {-0.4 [95% confidence interval (CI) -0.8 to 0.1] vs. -2.5 [95% CI -2.8 to -2.2] mL/kg/min; p = 0.022}, less muscle loss [-11.6 (95% CI -14.2 to -9.0) vs. -15.6 (95% CI -18.7 to -15.4) cm 2 /m 2 ; p = 0.049], and improved QOL. More prehabilitation patients completed neoadjuvant therapy at full dose [prehabilitation group, 18 (75%) vs. control group, 13 (46%); p = 0.036]. No adverse events were reported.
Conclusions: This study has demonstrated some retention of cardiopulmonary fitness (peak VO 2 ), muscle, and QOL in prehabilitation subjects. Further large-scale trials will help determine whether these promising findings translate into improved clinical and oncological outcomes. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02950324.

Prognostic value of aerobic capacity and exercise oxygen pulse in postaortic dissection patients.

Delsart P; Delahaye C; Devos P; Domanski O; Azzaoui R; Sobocinski J; Juthier F; Vincentelli A; Rousse N; Mugnier A; Soquet J; Loobuyck V; Koussa M; Modine T; Jegou B; Bical A; Hysi I; Fabre O; Pontana F; Matran R; Mounier-Vehier C; Montaigne D;

Clinical Cardiology. 44(2):252-260, 2021 Feb.

BACKGROUND: Although recommendations encourage daily moderate activities
in post aortic dissection, very little data exists regarding
cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) to personalize those patient’s
physical rehabilitation and assess their cardiovascular prognosis.

DESIGN: We aimed at testing the prognostic insight of CPET regarding
aortic and cardiovascular events by exploring a prospective cohort of
patients followed-up after acute aortic dissection.

METHODS: Patients referred to our department after an acute (type A or B)
aortic dissection were prospectively included in a cohort between
September 2012 and October 2017. CPET was performed once optimal blood
pressure control was obtained. Clinical follow-up was done after CPET for
new aortic event and major cardio-vascular events (MCE) not directly
related to the aorta.

RESULTS: Among the 165 patients who underwent CPET, no adverse event was
observed during exercise testing. Peak oxygen pulse was 1.46(1.22-1.84)
mlO2/beat, that is, 97 (83-113) % of its predicted value, suggesting
cardiac exercise limitation in a population under beta blockers (92% of
the population). During a follow-up of 39(20-51) months from CPET, 42
aortic event recurrences and 22 MCE not related to aorta occurred. Low
peak oxygen pulse (<85% of predicted value) was independently predictive
of aortic event recurrence, while low peak oxygen uptake (<70% of
predicted value) was an independent predictor of MCE occurrence.

CONCLUSION: CPET is safe in postaortic dissection patients should be used
to not only to personalize exercise rehabilitation, but also to identify
those patients with the highest risk for new aortic events and MCE not
directly related to aorta.

Normative Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test Responses at the Ventilatory Threshold in Canadian Adults 40 to 80 Years of Age.

Lewthwaite H; Elsewify O; Niro F; Bourbeau J; Guenette JA; Maltais F;
Marciniuk DD; O’Donnell DE; Smith BM; Stickland MK; Tan WC; Jensen D;

Chest. 159(5):1922-1933, 2021 05.

RESEARCH QUESTION: This study aimed to develop an updated normative
reference set for physiologic and symptom responses at Tvent during cycle
CPET (primary aim) and to evaluate previously recommended reference
equations from a 1985 study for predicting Tvent responses (secondary
aim).

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Participants were adults 40 to 80 years of age
who were free of clinically relevant disease from the Canadian Cohort
Obstructive Lung Disease. Rate of oxygen consumption (VO2) at Tvent was
identified by two independent raters; physiologic and symptom responses
corresponding to VO2 at Tvent were identified by linear interpolation.
Reference ranges (5th-95th percentiles) for responses at Tvent were
calculated according to participant sex and age for 29 and eight
variables, respectively. Prediction models were developed for nine
variables (oxygen pulse, VO2, rate of CO2 production, minute ventilation,
tidal volume, inspiratory capacity, end-inspiratory lung volume [in liters
and as percentage of total lung capacity], and end-expiratory lung volume)
using quantile regression, estimating the 5th (lower limit of normal),
50th (normal), and 95th (upper limit of normal) percentiles based on
readily available participant characteristics. The two one-sided test of
equivalence for paired samples evaluated the measured and 1985-predicted
VO2 at Tvent for equivalence.

RESULTS: Reference ranges and equations were developed based on 96
participants (49% men) with a mean +/- SD age of 63 +/- 9 years. Mean VO2
at Tvent was 50% of measured VO2 peak; the normal range was 33% to 66%.
The 1985 reference equations overpredicted VO2 at Tvent: mean difference
in men, -0.17 L/min (95% CI, -0.25 to -0.09 L/min); mean difference in
women, -0.19 L/min (95% CI, -0.27 to -0.12 L/min).

INTERPRETATION: A contemporary reference set of CPET responses at Tvent
from Canadian adults 40 to 80 years of age is presented that differs from
the previously recommended and often used reference set from 1985.

Associations Between Blood Biomarkers, Cardiac Function, and Adverse Outcome in a Young Fontan Cohort. (With apologies to authors of last article)

van den Bosch E; Bossers SSM; Kamphuis VP; Boersma E; Roos-Hesselink JW;
Breur JMPJ; Ten Harkel ADJ; Kapusta L; Bartelds B; Roest AAW; Kuipers IM;
Blom NA; Koopman LP; Helbing WA

Journal of the American Heart Association. 10(5):e015022, 2021 02.

Background Patients who have undergone the Fontan procedure are at high
risk of circulatory failure. In an exploratory analysis we aimed to
determine the prognostic value of blood biomarkers in a young cohort who
have undergone the Fontan procedure. Methods and Results In multicenter
prospective studies patients who have undergone the Fontan procedure
underwent blood sampling, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, and stress
cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Several biomarkers including NT-proBNP
(N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide), GDF-15 (growth
differentiation factor 15), Gal-3 (galectin-3), ST2 (suppression of
tumorigenicity 2), DLK-1 (protein delta homolog 1), FABP-4 (fatty
acid-binding protein 4), IGFBP-1 (insulin-like growth factor-binding
protein 1), IGFBP-7, MMP-2 (matrix metalloproteinase 2), and vWF (von
Willebrand factor) were assessed in blood at 9.6 (7.1-12.1) years after
Fontan completion. After this baseline study measurement, follow-up
information was collected on the incidence of adverse cardiac events,
including cardiac death, out of hospital cardiac arrest, heart
transplantation (listing), cardiac reintervention (severe events),
hospitalization, and cardioversion/ablation for arrhythmias was collected
and the relation with blood biomarkers was assessed by Cox proportional
hazard analyses. The correlation between biomarkers and other clinical
parameters was evaluated. We included 133 patients who have undergone the
Fontan procedure, median age 13.2 (25th, 75th percentile 10.4-15.9) years,
median age at Fontan 3.2 (2.5-3.9) years. After a median follow-up of 6.2
(4.9-6.9) years, 36 (27.1%) patients experienced an event of whom 13
(9.8%) had a severe event. NT-proBNP was associated with (all) events
during follow-up and remained predictive after correction for age, sex,
and dominant ventricle (hazard ratio, 1.89; CI, 1.32-2.68). The severe
event-free survival was better in patients with low levels of GDF-15
(P=0.005) and vWF (P=0.008) and high levels of DLK-1 (P=0.041). There was
a positive correlation (beta=0.33, P=0.003) between DLK-1 and stress
cardiac magnetic resonance imaging functional reserve. Conclusions
NT-proBNP, GDF-15, vWF, DLK-1, ST-2 FABP-4, and IGFBP-7 levels relate to
long-term outcome in young patients who have undergone the Fontan
procedure.

Associations Between Blood Biomarkers, Cardiac Function, and Adverse Outcome in a Young Fontan Cohort.

van den Bosch E; Bossers SSM; Kamphuis VP; Boersma E; Roos-Hesselink JW;
Breur JMPJ; Ten Harkel ADJ; Kapusta L; Bartelds B; Roest AAW; Kuipers IM;
Blom NA; Koopman LP; Helbing WA

Journal of the American Heart Association. 10(5):e015022, 2021 02. VI 1

Patients with kidney failure often present with reduced cardiovascular
functional reserve and exercise tolerance. Previous studies on
cardiorespiratory fitness examined with cardiopulmonary exercise testing
(CPET) in kidney transplant recipients (KTR) had variable results. This is
a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies examining cardiovascular
functional reserve with CPET in KTR in comparison with patients with
kidney failure (CKD-Stage-5 before dialysis, hemodialysis or peritoneal
dialysis), as well as before and after kidney transplantation. Literature
search involved PubMed, Web-of-Science and Scopus databases, manual search
of article references and grey literature. From a total of 4,944
identified records, eight studies (with 461 participants) were included in
quantitative analysis for the primary question. Across these studies, KTR
had significantly higher oxygen consumption at peak/max exercise (VO2
peak/VO2 max) compared to patients with kidney failure (SMD = 0.70, 95% CI
[0.31, 1.10], I2 = 70%, P = 0.002). In subgroup analyses, similar
differences were evident among seven studies comparing KTR and
hemodialysis patients (SMD = 0.64, 95% CI [0.16, 1.12], I2 = 65%, P =
0.009) and two studies comparing KTR with peritoneal dialysis subjects
(SMD = 1.14, 95% CI [0.19, 2.09], I2 = 50%, P = 0.16). Across four studies
with relevant data, oxygen consumption during peak/max exercise showed
significant improvement after kidney transplantation compared to
pretransplantation values (WMD = 2.43, 95% CI [0.01, 4.85], I2 = 68%, P =
0.02). In conclusion, KTR exhibit significantly higher cardiovascular
functional reserve during CPET compared to patients with kidney failure.
Cardiovascular reserve is significantly improved after kidney
transplantation in relation to presurgery levels.