Exercise Capacity and Pulmonary Function in Pediatric Patients With Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection Post-Surgical Repair: A Retrospective Analysis.

Anomalous pulmonary venous connection (APVC), including total (TAPVC) and partial (PAPVC) forms, is a congenital heart defect with abnormal pulmonary vein drainage; and while surgical repair has improved survival, its long-term impact on cardiopulmonary function remains unclear. This retrospective study evaluated exercise capacity and pulmonary function in 26 pediatric APVC patients (17 TAPVC, 9 PAPVC) using cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and compared them with 63 age-matched healthy controls. Patients with complex defects or significant comorbidities were excluded. Results showed significantly lower anaerobic threshold VO₂ (p = 0.03), peak VO₂ (p < 0.001) and peak heart rate (p = 0.02) in the APVC group, indicating impaired exercise capacity; though no differences were found between TAPVC and PAPVC subgroups. Despite preserved resting lung function, these findings suggest that children with repaired APVC experience persistent exercise limitations, underscoring the importance of routine functional assessment and potential rehabilitation, with further studies needed to clarify underlying mechanisms and guide long-term care.