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Estimating Equations for Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing Variables in Fontan Patients: Derivation and Validation Using a Multicenter Cross-Sectional Database

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Abstract

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is a common method of evaluating patients with a Fontan circulation. Equations to calculate predicted CPET values are based on children with normal circulation. This study aims to create predictive equations for CPET variables solely based on patients with Fontan circulation. Patients who performed CPET in the multicenter Pediatric Heart Network Fontan Cross-Sectional Study were screened. Peak variable equations were calculated using patients who performed a maximal test (RER > 1.1) and anaerobic threshold (AT) variable equations on patients where AT was adequately calculated. Eighty percent of each cohort was randomly selected to derive the predictive equation and the remaining served as a validation cohort. Linear regression analysis was performed for each CPET variable within the derivation cohort. The resulting equations were applied to calculate predicted values in the validation cohort. Observed versus predicted variables were compared in the validation cohort using linear regression. 411 patients underwent CPET, 166 performed maximal exercise tests and 317 had adequately calculated AT. Predictive equations for peak CPET variables had good performance; peak VO2, R 2 = 0.61; maximum work, R 2 = 0.61; maximum O2 pulse, R 2 = 0.59. The equations for CPET variables at AT explained less of the variability; VO2 at AT, R 2 = 0.15; work at AT, R 2 = 0.39; O2 pulse at AT, R 2 = 0.34; VE/VCO2 at AT, R 2 = 0.18; VE/VO2 at AT, R 2 = 0.14. Only the models for VE/VCO2 and VE/VO2 at AT had significantly worse performance in validation cohort. Of the 8 equations for commonly measured CPET variables, six were able to be validated. The equations for peak variables were more robust in explaining variation in values than AT equations.

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Disclosures

The NIH/NHLBI Pediatric Heart Network Fontan Cross-Sectional Study dataset was used in preparation of this work. Accessed from https://www.pediatricheartnetwork.org. The authors are solely responsible for the design and conduct of this study, all study analyses, the drafting and editing of the manuscript, and its final contents.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, 165 Ashley Avenue, MSC 915, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA

    Ryan J. Butts, Carolyn T. Spencer, Lanier Jackson, Martha E. Heal, Geoffrey Forbus & Andrew M. Atz

  2. Division of Epidemiology, Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, 165 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC, 29485, USA

    Thomas C. Hulsey

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  1. Ryan J. Butts
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  2. Carolyn T. Spencer
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  3. Lanier Jackson
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  4. Martha E. Heal
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  7. Andrew M. Atz
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Correspondence to Ryan J. Butts.

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Butts, R.J., Spencer, C.T., Jackson, L. et al. Estimating Equations for Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing Variables in Fontan Patients: Derivation and Validation Using a Multicenter Cross-Sectional Database. Pediatr Cardiol 36, 393–401 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00246-014-1020-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00246-014-1020-5

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