[Functional evaluation by treadmill in children and adolescent following correction of Tetralogy of Fallot].
OBJECTIVE
The Authors have examined 22 children (16m and 6f), mean age 9.64 +/- 2.63 years, range 5-15, after total correction for Tetralogy of Fallot, to evaluate the response of their cardiovascular apparatus during an exercise testing on treadmill (Bruce protocol).


METHODS
Parameters examined: exercise duration, maximal heart rate (HR), maximal systolic blood pressure (max BP), non invasive cardiac output at rest and at the peak of exercise (CO), arterial oxygen saturation; lung function test at rest, echocardiogram and 24 hours Holter monitoring.


METHODS
22 healthy peers, same gender, height and weight, not practising competitive sports.


RESULTS
The exercise duration was significantly lower in the first group (77.8 +/- 11.8%; 86.5 +/- 8.2%; P = 0.006). Also max HR and max BP were significantly lower (max HR: 162 +/- 12 b/m'; 187 +/- 8 b/m'; P = 0.000), (max BP: 119 +/- 9 mm Hg; 126 +/- 12 mm Hg; P = 0.042). There were no differences for CO at rest (3.70 +/- 1.09 l/m'; 3.95 +/- 1.07 l/m'). In the first group, CO at peak of exercise was lower but not significantly (6.51 +/- 2.56 l/m'; 7.95 +/- 2.77 l/m'; NS).


CONCLUSIONS
These results make more complete the not invasive functional evaluation for a better follow-up of these patients and a better choice for their physical activity.
Pastore
E
E
Dipartimento Medico Chirurgico Di Cardiologia Pediatrica, Ospedale Bambino Gesù, Roma.
Turchetta
A
A
Giordano
U
U
Giannico
S
S
Marcelletti
C
C
Ragonese
P
P
Calzolari
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D002302:Cardiac Output; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010807:Physical Endurance; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D013147:Spirometry; D013771:Tetralogy of Fallot / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*
Valutazione funzionale al treadmill in bambini ed adolescenti dopo correzione di Tetralogia di Fallot.