LAUSR

A better understanding of the pathophysiology of pediatric post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) is needed to develop strategies to treat this condition. We investigated calf pump function, exercise capacity, balance in power output, and changes in limb muscle oxygen saturation (SmO2) and fluid content during exercise in ten pediatric patients with unilateral lower limb PTS and in age- and sex-matched controls (1:1-1:2 ratio). Outcomes were investigated using bioimpedance spectroscopy, torque sensing pedals, and near-infrared spectroscopy during incremental and constant load cycling tests. Median age at participation was 17 years (25th-75th percentile 15-18 years); 68% of participants were females. Median CAPTSure© score in the affected leg of affected participants was 35 points (25th-75th percentile 24-46), indicating moderate/severe PTS; 20% of patients had a history of central venous catheter-related thrombosis. Increasing PTS severity was associated with higher calf pump venous volume and higher ejection volume, leading to compensated calf pump performance. We found no evidence of PTS impact on exercise capacity. Leg contribution to power output was similar in affected and unaffected legs. However, the PTS-affected legs showed lower SmO2 during active cycling and recovery with increasing PTS severity, indicating impaired microvascular function in the muscle. These findings suggest that PTS severity is associated with impaired blood flow presumably from elevated venous pressure during and following exercise. The fact that microvascular function is impaired in young patients with PTS underscores the relevance of developing strategies to mitigate the effects of this chronic vascular disease to minimize its deleterious effects as children grow older.