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Cardiac performance in children with pectus excavatum.
1Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229.
Journal of Pediatric Surgery
|August 1, 1989
Summary
Children with pectus excavatum show normal exercise tolerance. However, older children with pectus excavatum exhibit elevated diastolic blood pressure and shortened cardiac systolic intervals during exercise.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pediatric Medicine
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Pectus excavatum is a congenital chest wall deformity.
- Its impact on pediatric exercise physiology requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate exercise tolerance and cardiovascular responses in children with pectus excavatum.
- To identify age-related differences in these responses.
Main Methods:
- Graded exercise testing using a cycle ergometer and the James protocol.
- Comparison of maximal workload, oxygen consumption, cardiac output, and stroke volume.
- Measurement of diastolic blood pressure and left ventricular systolic time intervals (P/L ratio, PEP).
Main Results:
- No significant differences in maximal workload, oxygen consumption, cardiac output, or stroke volume between pectus excavatum and control groups.
- Significantly elevated maximal diastolic blood pressure in older pectus patients (PII).
- Significantly shortened P/L ratio and PEP in older pectus patients post-exercise.
Conclusions:
- Children with pectus excavatum generally have normal exercise tolerance and oxygen transport.
- Older children with pectus excavatum demonstrate altered cardiovascular responses to exercise, including increased diastolic blood pressure and shortened systolic intervals.