Guest Editors
Dr. Garett Griffith
Email: garett.griffith@northwestern.edu
Affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy & Human Movement Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, United States
Homepage:
Research Interests: Cardiopulmonary exercise testing, exercise training, congenital heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, autonomic dysfunction
Summary
This special issue explores the role of cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), and response to exercise training in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). CPET has emerged as a critical tool for assessing CRF, evaluating cardiovascular health, and guiding exercise-based treatment in individuals with CHD. This special issue highlights exercise capacity and responses in patients with CHD, which can be influenced by factors such as age, diagnoses, the severity of heart defects, the presence of comorbid conditions, among others.
While significant progress has been made in understanding how exercise impacts patients with CHD, several gaps remain in the literature. Limited data exist on the long-term effects of exercise training on survival and improved clinical outcomes, especially in pediatric and adult CHD patients. There is also insufficient evidence regarding optimal exercise prescription considerations. Furthermore, the specific mechanisms underlying abnormal exercise responses, such as impaired oxygen uptake or ventilatory inefficiency, are not fully understood in CHD.
The importance of exercise in CHD patients cannot be overstated. Regular exercise has been shown to improve cardiovascular function, quality of life, and overall health outcomes. The issue emphasizes the need for further research to develop evidence-based guidelines for exercise testing and therapy, ensuring that CHD patients receive the benefits of tailored exercise interventions in clinical practice.
Keywords
Congenital heart disease, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, peak aerobic capacity, functional capacity, exercise training, exercise prescription, rehabilitation, survival, exercise intolerance, Fontan, tetralogy of Fallot
Login
Register
Submit a Paper
Propose a Special lssue