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The importance and value of engaging patients and the public as co-researchers (i.e., “patient engagement in research”) is becoming more evident, and guiding methods must be available for researchers conducting their work at different points along the engagement spectrum. This article provides a virtual workshop model for integrating patient and public stakeholder perspectives in data analysis and interpretation. The model is based upon a critical reflection on the methods that underlaid the consultation stage of our scoping review on patient and caregiver preferences for cardiac surgery. It involves four virtual workshop sessions held on separate days, each achieving the unique goals of (a) establishing participants’ technological literacy within the virtual platform, (b) obtaining responses to the research question, (c) introducing participant perspectives into research analysis and interpretation, and (d) prioritizing research findings or future research agendas. Further, a description of the considerations related to virtual engagement, including those pertaining to equity, diversity, and inclusion; features of the virtual platform; and roles for the research team are provided. This paper contributes toward a methodological toolkit for patient engagement in research, especially as an adjunct to research with otherwise minimal patient engagement. It also adds to the emerging literature on practical approaches to patient engagement in research as more engagement is occurring virtually.

Background: Patients with Fontan circulation are frail and experience multisystem dysfunction including impaired exercise capacity, low resting and exercise-augmented cardiac output, and progressive liver fibrosis. However, common underlying biochemical abnormalities or disease-specific biomarkers have not been well-described. Objectives: We wish to investigate Fontan and their matched healthy subjects using a nontargeted, followed by targeted metabolomic analysis. Methods: Patients with Fontan circulation were compared to age- and sex-matched healthy controls with regard to body composition, markers of frailty, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, and resting and exercise-augmented hemodynamics. Subsequently, the study participants underwent a nontargeted metabolomics assessment, followed by targeted plasma bile acid (BA) analysis. Results: Twenty Fontan patients (28.8 ± 9.8 years of age; 35% women) and 20 healthy controls (29.7 ± 6.0 years of age; 30% women) were enrolled. Fontan patients had significantly lower skeletal muscle mass, took longer to complete the 5 times sit-to-stand test; achieved lower %VO2 max, and had lower resting and postexercise hemodynamic parameters. Nontargeted metabolomics assessment demonstrated elevated BAs, oxylipins, and leucine metabolites in Fontan patients. Total BA as well as 17 BA components were markedly elevated in the Fontan patients. Selective BAs were negatively associated with age, degree of frailty, cardiopulmonary function, and hemodynamic parameters. Conclusions: Elevated BAs are associated with worsening Fontan physiology. These findings warrant further exploration.