[Cardiopulmonary exercise test in the evaluation of exercise capacity in patients with Ebstein anomaly and patent ostium secundum atrial septal defect aged over 30 years].

UNLABELLED

There are few data available on applying the cardiopulmonary exercise test for evaluation of cardiac exercise capacity in adult patients with congenital heart diseases. The aim of the study was to perform this test in adults with Ebstein anomaly and patients with patent ASD II (atrial septal defect) and determination of potential relationships between these parameters and echocardiographically assessed hemodynamic indices.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Twenty patients with Ebstein anomaly mean aged 40.3 +/- 12.3 years were studied. Control group consisted of 19 individuals at mean age of 39.9 years. Echocardiography was performed for the evaluation of severity of the disease. Additionally, 36 patients with ASD II were included, mean age 44.7 +/- 8.2 years. The control group consisted of 25 individuals at mean age of 45.6 years. Maximum exercise treadmill test was carried out and resting and exercise spirometry.

RESULTS

Ebstein anomaly. Maximum oxygen uptake, minute ventilation, maximum heart rate and blood pressure at peak exercise were significantly lower in study patients than in control group. VE/VCO2 was increased. No differences were observed between groups with respect to spirometric parameters. Oxygen uptake decreased along with the severity of the disease. ASD II. Maximum oxygen uptake, minute ventilation, maximum heart rate and blood pressure at peak exercise and spirometric parameters were significantly lower in study patients than in control group. Significant negative correlations were shown for VO2 (maximum oxygen uptake) and Qp:Qs (pulmonary to systemic flow ratio) (p = 0.004), maximum heart rate - HRmax and HRmax% and RV (end-diastolic right ventricular diameter) (p = 0.02 i p = 0.01), RV and systolic pressure at peak exercise (p = 0.03), obstruction marker FEV1 and RV (p = 0.04) and between RVSP (right ventricular end-systolic pressure) (p = 0.01). Negative correlation was observed between RQ (respiratory quotient) and RVSP (p = 0.004), and positive correlation between HRmax and VO2 (p = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

The exercise capacity of adults with Ebstein anomaly and those with patent ASD II is significantly reduced. It decreases along with the echocardiographic severity of the disease in Ebstein anomaly patients and it seems to result from the right ventricular volume overload in patients with patent ASD II.