Evaluating existing physical activity promotion pathways for young people with congenital heart disorders, to develop a safe, structured exercise programme for these patients that improves their physical and mental health.
Exercise & lifestyle
Whilst it is widely accepted that physical activity is beneficial for both cardiovascular and overall health, little data is available on whether physical activity is beneficial for young people with congenital heart disease (CHD).
This study aimed to utilise existing exercise guidelines for this patient group, combined with the HRUK toolkits to evaluate the efficacy of prescribed exercise for these young patients This study was significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning they were unable to fulfil their original recruitment targets.
The team was able to implement a successful trial at Bristol. The primary outcome that was being measured was aerobic fitness, a known indicator for future mortality and morbidity. Those who were enrolled in the prescribed exercise programme showed an increase in aerobic fitness, but the sample size was too small to conclude statistical significance.
Due to the recruitment issues, this study was not able to achieve the original aims that were set out. However, the initial results were positive and formed the basis for successful trials in other cities. The toolkit has now been rolled out across the UK, to provide exercise support and guidance for young people with congenital heart disease.
The development of a new AI-supported model for imaging the heart based on data from over 700 people with atrial fibrillation, allow ablation to be more personalised to individual patients.
Bringing together patients and medical professionals to establish a partnership aimed at identifying areas of priority in adult cardiac surgery, to better inform clinicians and make heart surgery safer for patients.
Developing an AI-assisted computer programme to identify whether a conduction system pacing (CSP) procedure has been successful, which will allow more patients to benefit from this innovative pacemaker technology.
Developing a new test to measure the levels of desmosine in the body, which are higher when there is damage to the aorta, to diagnose aortic dissection more quickly.
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