Using Exercise MRI to Study Heart and Muscle Fitness in Children Aged 10 to 18 With Heart Disease or After Heart Transplant

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating how the heart and skeletal muscles work together during exercise in children aged 10 to 18 years with acquired or congenital heart disease, including heart transplant recipients. The study aims to understand cardiac adaptations to exercise and their relationship to cardiorespiratory fitness using advanced imaging techniques. It also explores the effects of a 12-week high-intensity interval training program on heart and muscle function in this population. Participants will undergo cardiopulmonary exercise testing on a cycle ergometer to measure oxygen consumption and other fitness parameters. They will also have a standard cardiac MRI to evaluate heart structure and function at rest, followed by an exercise cardiac MRI using a stepping ergometer to assess heart and skeletal muscle function during activity. Questionnaires about feelings toward exercise will be completed by participants and their parents. Throughout the study, researchers will collect data on heart and muscle responses to exercise using MRI and exercise tests. They will analyze the relationships between these measures and fitness levels. The study will include about 20 participants and involve multiple assessments, including baseline and post-intervention evaluations. Safety, functionality, and participant experiences will be monitored, with the total study period lasting up to several months.

Exercise MRI to Evaluate Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Children With Heart Disease