Cardiology research at CHEO will help pediatricians at CHEO and around the world better understand cardiac conditions and lead to ongoing discoveries to inspire the best life for every child and youth.
Research Projects
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Height and Weight Trajectories are Associated with Submaximal and Maximal Exercise Capacity in Children with Congenital Heart Defects
12/02/2025
Children with congenital heart defects (CHD) are often short/lightweight relative to peers. Limited growth, particularly height, may reflect energy deficits impacting physical activity. Latent class analyses of growth from birth and Bruce treadmill exercise data retrospectively identified for height, weight, and body mass index z-scores growth trajectories. A very low height z-score trajectory is associated with decreased exercise capacity that may increase the risk for morbidities associated with a sedentary lifestyle. Future studies should examine potential mechanisms for the observed height deficits, such as an inadequate energy supply that could impact physical activity participation, congestive heart failure, cyanosis, pubertal stage, supplemental feeding history, or familial growth patterns. Prospective studies examining growth in relation to objective measures of daily physical activity are required.
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In-Clinic Activity Promotion for Children with Congenital Heart Disease: Randomized Clinical Trial
06/01/2025
An effective in-clinic physical activity counseling intervention is needed to increase physical activity motivation and participation among children with moderate or severe congenital heart disease and enable clinicians to comply with activity promotion recommendations. This pragmatic, single-blind multicenter randomized clinical trial evaluated the intervention feasibility/efficacy among children aged 5-17 years. Clinicians delivered key messages, encouraged activity questions and discussion, and provided kinesiologist support. The primary outcome was daily activity, assessed after the clinic visit and then monthly for 6 months. Clinic visit length, % counseled, patient/family perceptions, and kinesiology referral assessed health care system impacts. Over 6 months, participants receiving a brief, standardized in-clinic activity counseling intervention with on-going kinesiology support were more likely to achieve the recommended daily physical activity. Counseling was feasible for clinicians to deliver during a routine clinic visit enabling compliance with recommended practice.
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Understanding the Physical Literacy Development of 8- to 12-year-old Children Living with Chronic Medical Conditions: A Comprehensive, Mixed Methods Inquiry
01/09/2024
Physical literacy is a concept used to describe the combined physical, affective and cognitive capacities facilitating an active lifestyle. Physical activity participation is essential for children living with chronic medical conditions, but knowledge of physical literacy among this group is scarce. An explanatory, sequential mixed methods design was used to comprehensively describe the physical literacies of children with chronic medical conditions (CMCs). Children with CMCs can achieve recommended levels of physical literacy without meeting normative standards for physical competence. Participants would benefit from a physical literacy intervention that targets the development of bodily self-regulation skills and risk evaluation in active settings.
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Moving together while staying apart: Practical recommendations for 24-hour home-based movement behaviours for those with cardiovascular disease
20/12/2021
Clinicians should be aware that clear communication of the importance of limiting prolonged sedentary time, engaging in regular physical activity and exercise, and ensuring optimal sleep in association with the provision of clear, comprehensible, and practical advice is fundamental to ensuring that those living with CVD respond optimally to the challenges posed by the pandemic.
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Role of Sex and Gender in Access to Care and Cardiovascular Complications of Individuals with Diabetes Mellitus
01/10/2021
Country-specific gender related factors and gender disparity must be targeted for improving health status and access to care of patients with DM.
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Parents of Very Young Children with Congenital Heart Defects Report Good Quality of Life for Their Children and Families Regardless of Defect Severity
07/11/2019
Parents report a lower quality of life among girls, and lower family quality of life is associated with lower family income.
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The mental health of adolescents and pre-adolescents living with inherited arrhythmia syndromes: A systematic review of the literature
01/05/2018
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Exercise Capacity and Self-Efficacy are Associated with Moderate-to-Vigorous Intensity Physical Activity in Children with Congenital Heart Disease
12/06/2017
Of 172 patients who were recruited, 137 (80%) had complete MVPA data and were included in the analysis.
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New concepts in the assessment of exercise capacity among children with congenital heart disease: Looking beyond heart function and mortality
10/02/2015
Physically active lifestyles are important for the physical and mental health of children with congenital heart defects.
Researchers
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Jean-Philippe Chaput
Senior Scientist, CHEO Research Institute
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Khaled El Emam
Senior Scientist, CHEO Research Institute Professor, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa
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Sherri Katz
Senior Scientist, CHEO Research Institute
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Robert Klaassen
Scientist, CHEO Research Institute
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Sarah Lawrence
Investigator, CHEO Research Institute
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Patricia Longmuir
Senior Scientist, CHEO Research Institute
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Erick Sell
Investigator, CHEO Research Institute
