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Introduction and objectives: This is the 2021 annual activity report from the Interventional Cardiology Association of the Spanish Society of Cardiology (ACI-SEC), and the Interventional Working Group of the Spanish Society of Pediatric Cardiology (GTH-SECPCC). Methods: All Spanish centers with cath lab capabilities and interventional activity in congenital heart diseases were invited to participate. Data were collected online, analyzed by an external company, and ACI-SEC and GTH-SECPCC members. Results: A total of 16 centers participated—15 public and 1 private—including 34 cath labs with experience in congenital heart diseases, 7 of them (20.5%) exclusively dedicated to pediatric patients. A total of 1094 diagnostic studies (4.5% more than 2020) and 1553 interventional catheterizations (5.8% more than 2020) were registered. The most common procedures were atrial septal defect closure (336 cases), pulmonary branch artery angioplasty (231 cases), and percutaneous closure of the patent ductus arteriosus (228 cases). Interventional procedures were considered successful in 95% of the cases with rates of major procedural complication and in-hospital mortality of 2.7% and 0.2%, respectively. Conclusions: This is the second Spanish Cardiac Catheterization in Congenital Heart Diseases Registry report. A significant increase of diagnostic and interventional procedures was reported with a special increase of percutaneous valve implantation, ductus arteriosus closure, and aortic angioplasty. Most interventional techniques continue to demonstrate excellent safety and efficacy outcomes., Introducción y objetivos: La Asociación de Cardiología Intervencionista de la Sociedad Española de Cardiología (ACI-SEC) y el Grupo de Trabajo de Hemodinámica de la Sociedad Española de Cardiología Pediátrica y Cardiopatías Congénitas (GTH-SECPCC) presentan su informe anual de actividad hemodinámica en cardiopatías congénitas correspondiente al año 2021. Métodos: Se invitó a participar a los centros españoles con laboratorio de hemodinámica y actividad intervencionista en cardiopatías congénitas. La recogida de datos fue telemática y su análisis lo efectuó una empresa externa junto con miembros de la ACI-SEC y el GTH-SECPCC. Resultados: Participaron 16 centros (15 públicos y 1 privado) que acumulan 34 salas de hemodinámica con actividad en cardiopatías congénitas, 7 (20,5%) de ellas con dedicación exclusiva a pacientes pediátricos. Se registraron 1.094 estudios diagnósticos (5,1% más que en 2020) y 1.553 cateterismos intervencionistas (6,4% más que en 2020). Las técnicas más frecuentes fueron el cierre de comunicación interauricular (336 casos), la angioplastia de ramas pulmonares (231 casos) y el cierre de ductus (228 casos). Respecto al año anterior se incrementaron significativamente las técnicas de implantación de válvulas percutáneas (29,3%), cierre de ductus (20,6%) y angioplastia aórtica (12,8%). La tasa de éxito en los procedimientos intervencionistas fue del 95%, con una tasa de complicaciones mayores del 2,7% y una mortalidad intrahospitalaria del 0,2%. Conclusiones: Este trabajo es la segunda publicación del Registro Español de Intervencionismo en Cardiopatías Congénitas. Se ha constatado un aumento significativo de los procedimientos diagnósticos y terapéuticos, destacando el incremento en la implantación de válvulas percutáneas, el cierre de ductus y la angioplastia aórtica. La mayoría de las técnicas intervencionistas siguen demostrando excelentes datos de seguridad y eficacia.

Critical medical and surgical advances have led to a shift in the care and management of children with congenital heart disease (CHD). These patients present with muscle deconditioning, which negatively influences their response to exercise, functional capacities, and quality of life. This study evaluates the influence of a cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program (CPRP) on the function of peripheral musculature of children with CHD. A single-center prospective cohort study was designed. Fifteen CHD subjects, between 12 and 16 years of age, with reduced aerobic capacity on a cardiopulmonary exercise test, were included in a three-month, 24-session CPRP. Measurements of the subjects’ handgrip strength, biceps brachii and quadriceps femoris strength, and triceps surae fatigue process were collected at the beginning of the program, after completion, and six months after the end of the intervention. A substantial and statistically significant improvement was observed in the subjects’ handgrip strength (kg) (p < 0.001), biceps brachii and quadriceps femoris strength (N) (p < 0.001), as well as triceps surae fatigue process (repetitions) (p = 0.018), with a maintenance of the results six months after the intervention. These results suggest that a CPRP could potentially improve the peripheral muscle function of children with CHD. Additional research is needed to confirm and expand on this hypothesis.

Critical surgical and medical advances have shifted the focus of congenital heart disease (CHD) patients from survival to achievement of a greater health-related quality of life (HRQoL). HRQoL is influenced, amongst other factors, by aerobic capacity and respiratory muscle strength, both of which are reduced in CHD patients. This study evaluates the influence of a cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program (CPRP) on respiratory muscle strength and functional capacity. Fifteen CHD patients, ages 12 to 16, with reduced aerobic capacity in cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) were enrolled in a CPRP involving strength and aerobic training for three months. Measurements for comparison were obtained at the start, end, and six months after the CPRP. A significant improvement of inspiratory muscle strength was evidenced (maximum inspiratory pressure 21 cm H2O, 23%, p < 0.01). The six-minute walking test showed a statistically and clinically significant rise in walked distance (48 m, p < 0.01) and a reduction in muscle fatigue (1.7 out of 10 points, p = 0.017). These results suggest CPRP could potentially improve respiratory muscle function and functional capacity, with lasting results, in children with congenital heart disease, but additional clinical trials must be conducted to confirm this finding.