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Mechanisms of Dysfunction and the Influence of Exercise on Cardiac and Musculoskeletal Function

Phase 1
Terminated
Conditions
Congenital Heart Disease
Interventions
Other: Exercise Program
Registration Number
NCT02004756
Lead Sponsor
The Hospital for Sick Children
Brief Summary

Primary Objective: To determine if impairments in cardiac and musculoskeletal function and metabolism exist in Fontan children.

Secondary Objectives:

1. To determine if impairments do exist, are they related to exercise capacity.

2. To determine if a 12-week exercise training intervention improves cardiac and/or musculoskeletal metabolism.

Hypothesis: The investigators hypothesize that abnormalities in cardiac and skeletal function are evident, influence exercise capacity, and can be improved with exercise training.

Detailed Description

This proposed research provides an interdisciplinary approach to understanding exercise intolerance by examining cardiac and musculoskeletal metabolism in a unique cohort of children with congenital heart disease. Study findings may more importantly lead to evidence-based exercise interventions that promote improvements in overall physical health, quality of life, and functional status for Fontan children. Furthermore, this pilot study will lead to the development of a novel research protocol which may be applied to larger Fontan and other congenital heart disease cohorts. This study will also provide preliminary data to develop and conduct a larger clinical research project.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
TERMINATED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
10
Inclusion Criteria

Fontan Patients:

  1. Patients who have had the Fontan cardiac procedure
  2. 10-16 years of age
  3. Written Informed Consent

Healthy Controls:

  1. 10 - 16 years of age
  2. Written Informed Consent
Exclusion Criteria

Fontan Patients:

  1. Contraindication to exercise
  2. Physically active (i.e., ≥ 60 minute of moderate-vigorous activity) (Strong et al., 2005)
  3. Patients in whom MRI is contraindicated (e.g. pacemaker, ocular metal, claustrophobia, tattoos)
  4. Patients with a known allergy to gadolinium.
  5. Patients with a history of allergic disposition or have anaphylactic reactions
  6. Moderate-to-severe renal impairment (defined as having a GFR/ eGFR < 60 mL/min)
  7. Have Sickle Cell anemia
  8. Known pregnancy, or breast feeding
  9. Patient is uncooperative during a MRI without sedation or anesthesia

Healthy Controls:

  1. Contraindication to exercise
  2. Physically active (i.e., ≥ 60 minute of moderate-vigorous activity) (Strong et al., 2005)
  3. Patients in whom MRI is contraindicated (e.g. pacemaker, ocular metal, claustrophobia, tattoos, pregnancy)
  4. Patient is uncooperative during a MRI without sedation or anesthesia

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Fontan PatientsExercise ProgramFontan patients who are monitored at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) will undergo an exercise program
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Cardiac and skeletal function and metabolism1 day

Blood oxygen level dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD fMRI), and 31P-MRS will allow for the precise measurement of cardiac and musculoskeletal function, circulatory perfusion and vascular reactivity, and aerobic and anaerobic metabolism, respectively. Cardiac function will be examined via MRI and exercise echocardiography.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

The Hospital for Sick Children

🇨🇦

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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