The oxygen uptake efficiency slope discriminated between Fontan patients and controls in both age groups (AUCs 0.724 and 0.848), whereas 6-minute walk test distance only did so for adults (AUC 0.809).
Observational
Does the oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES/kg) provide better discriminatory ability than the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) distance in paediatric and adult Fontan patients?
OUES/kg demonstrates superior discriminatory ability for submaximal exercise capacity in both pediatric and adult Fontan patients compared to the 6-minute walk test, though the latter remains a useful clinical tool in adults.
p-value: p=< 0.05
BACKGROUND: Fontan patients experience progressive declines in exercise capacity, highlighting the importance of submaximal exercise parameters for clinical evaluation. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES/kg) compared to 6-minute walk test (6MWT) distance in paediatric and adult Fontan patients. METHODS: peak, OUES, and related variables were recorded. 6MWT was also performed, with distance (m) recorded. RESULTS: < 0.05). OUES/kg discriminated between patients and controls in both age groups (AUCs = 0.724 and 0.848), while 6MWT distance did so only for adults (AUC = 0.809). CONCLUSION: Both OUES/kg and 6MWT distance may serve as valuable indicators of submaximal exercise capacity in Fontan patients, particularly in adults when maximal CPET is not feasible. While OUES/kg demonstrated superior discriminatory ability, the 6MWT remains a simple and clinically useful tool, especially for evaluating functional capacity in adult Fontan patients. These findings emphasise the complementary value of both measures and highlight the importance of age-specific assessments in this population.
Tekerlek et al. (Thu,) conducted a observational in Fontan patients. Oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES/kg) vs. 6-minute walk test (6MWT) distance was evaluated on Discriminatory ability between patients and controls (p=< 0.05). The oxygen uptake efficiency slope discriminated between Fontan patients and controls in both age groups (AUCs 0.724 and 0.848), whereas 6-minute walk test distance only did so for adults (AUC 0.809).