The overall objective for this study is to test whether β2-agonists will affect the cardiopulmonary capacity of VSD-operated patients compared with un-operated VSD-patients and healthy age- and gender-matched controls.

1. Background information

   1.1. Investigational product Ventoline® 0,1 mg/dosis inhalation spray.

   The active substance is Salbutamol. Salbutamol is a selective β2-agonist which induces relaxation of the bronchial smooth muscles. Common side effects experienced in 1-10% of chronic Ventoline® users are tachycardia, cephalgia and tremors. For more information about the product go to 12. Appendix 1 - Product summary, which holds the Danish product resume from The Danish Health and Medicines Authority.

   1.2 Background Grown-ups with congenital heart disease represent a constantly growing cohort (1,2), and with a birth prevalence of 2.62 per 1000 live birth, isolated ventricular septal defect (VSD) is the most frequent congenital cardiac malformation (3,4). For these patients short- and long-term follow-up studies have displayed low complication rates (5-7), and VSD-corrected patients have been assumed to be just as healthy and physically fit compared as their peers (8). Nevertheless recent studies have demonstrated significant long-term abnormalities (9-12).

   Compared with the normal population similar workloads in ergometer cycle test have been demonstrated in some studies (13-17) whereas other studies have observed subnormal working capacity in these VSD patients (18-20). The most recent study, demonstrated significantly lower cardiopulmonary exercise capacity (9), a lower force frequency response (10), and abnormal ventilation pattern compared with healthy age and gender matched controls (11). How the abnormal pulmonary function interrelates with the impaired cardiac function and the limited exercise capacity remains to be clarified. None of the referred studies have explained the mechanism for the impaired exercise capacity. However, chronotropic incompetence (9,14,15,19,21) due to postsynaptic β-adrenergic desensitization of the cardiac autonomic nervous system after corrective cardiac surgery (14,15,19,21) have been suggested. Intrinsic sinus node dysfunction in postoperative congenital heart disease patients has also been demonstrated and may explains the lower exercise capacity (22,23). Moreover, abnormal pulmonary function has been demonstrated in these patients, which may be due to a direct mechanical limitation to breathing caused by the sternotomy the patient underwent earlier in life. However, there may also be an indirect physiological explanation to the abnormal exercise ventilation. A previous study found that the pulmonary function was somewhat decreased in many of the standard parameters, perhaps pointing in the direction of a direct mechanical restriction, but without any clear results(24). The study lacks a reference group of healthy controls, using standardized pulmonary values instead. Moreover, the patient group only consisted of children, not adults, making it difficult to predict the long-term outcome in this group of patients.

   β-adrenoceptors in heart (β1) and lungs (β2) are targets for catecholamine's causing stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system with among other effects bronchodilation and positive chronotropic, dromotropic, and ionotropic effects in the heart (25). Inhaled β2-agonists are commonly used as bronchodilators for patients conditioned with increased airway resistance (26). It has long been discussed if they have an ergogenic potential in sport due to both the effects on the lungs and a theoretical effect on the heart. It is now well described that exercise performance and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2-max) are not affected in healthy adults (27-29) not even when supratherapeutic doses of salbutamol are tested (27). However, these studies were mainly performed in athletes and not on the general population. In patients with chronic cor pulmonale a moderate chronotropic effect from β2-agonist infusions have been demonstrated (30). The effect in patients with congenital heart disease such as VSD is unknown. Since the VSD patients have an impaired pulmonary function as well as an impact on their chronotropic and ionotropic function, they might benefit from treatment of β2-agonists.

2. Hypotheses

   A) Patients with surgically corrected VSD have an increased airway resistance at rest which is positively affected by inhaled β2-agonists.

   B) Patients with surgically corrected VSD have impaired spirometry outcomes which is positively affected by inhaled β2-agonists.

   C) Patients with surgically corrected VSD have an inferior diffusion lung capacity compared with un-operated VSD-patients and healthy controls.

   D) β2-agonists increase peak exercise minute ventilation and thereby the cardiopulmonary exercise capacity of surgically corrected VSD patients compared to un-operated VSD-patients and healthy controls.

   E) Inhaled β2-agonists increase peak exercise heart rate and thereby the cardiopulmonary exercise capacity of patients with surgically corrected VSD compared to un-operated VSD-patients and healthy controls.

   F) Patients with surgically corrected VSD have a reduced heart rate variability, compared with un-operated VSD-patients and healthy controls, that is positively affected by β2-agonists.

3. Trial design

   The intended study will be conducted as a randomized controlled blinded cross over study, on the two VSD groups, matched with an equivalent number of controls. When written informed consent is obtained from participants they will be included in the trial. They will undergo two test days with an interval of at least of 48 hours and maximal 14 days, to ensure complete physical recovery and comparable physical condition at the two tests.

   It will be randomized whether the participant receives the Ventoline or the placebo at their first or second test day. To ensure similar test performances, both the participants and monitoring staff will be blinded in regards to what they are testing. For further information regarding study population see Chapter "Study Design" and "Arms and Investigations".

4. Methods

   The tests below are described in the order that they are supposed to be conducted. Each test will be performed on both test days at Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby at The Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery.

   4.1 Bioelectrical impedance analysis (Bioimpedance)

   The data collected are Total Body Water (TBW), Extracellular Fluid (ECF), Intracellular Fluid (ICF), Fat Free Mass (FFM) and Fat Mass (FM).

   4.2 Lung Clearance Index

   The equipment will analyse LCI 2,5 (LCI is defined as the cumulative expired volume (CEV) divided by the functional residual capacity (FRC) ), Scond (ventilation heterogeneity generated in the conductive lung zone) and Sacin (ventilation heterogeneity generated peripheral to the acinar entrance.

   4.3 Plethysmography (Static lung function)

   The equipment determine different lung parameters of which we will measure total lung capacity (TLC, liters), residual volume (RV, liters), functional residual capacity (FRCpleth, ml) and specific airway resistance (sRAW, kPa/sec) (35).

   4.4 Spirometry

   The test will include forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), the ratio between the two volumes (FEV1/FVC) and peak expiratory flow (PEF).

   4.5 Diffusion capacity test

   The diffusion capacity test will be performed on the same equipment as the plethysmography. The test determines lung carbon monoxide diffusion capacity (DLCO) and alveolar volume (VA) expressed as percentage of expected value.

   4.6 Impulse oscillometry

   The equipment will then be able to analyse resistance in of the respiratory system at 5 Hz (R5), and at 20 Hz (R20) and the difference between the two measured resistances (Diff 5-20) (38,39).

   4.7 Holter-Monitorisation

   ECG activity during and after orthostatic and exercise testing will be monitored with a 2-channel Holter monitor. Participants will be wearing the Holter-Monitors for 48 hours after activation at the first visit and for 24 hours after activation at the second visit. This results in 3 data-files:

   With the Pathfinder analysis software, we will assess any ECG changes and heart rate variability (HRV) during and after each exercise test. Endpoints are HRV (beat-to-beat variation) and mediterranean hour pulse.

   4.8 Orthostatic stress test (active standing)

   During the test we will measure blood pressure and heart rate with an automated sphygmomanometer on the left forearm.

   4.9 Exercise testing

   Exercise capacity will be tested on a Lode Corival ® ergometer cycle. With the Jaeger MaesterScreen CPX software system, we will monitor pulmonary ventilation and gas exchange in a breath-by-breath measurement. During test sessions, heart rate, blood pressure and electrocardiogram, will be measured continuously. The Holter-monitor is also recording during the exercise test.

   Each test day lasts approximately 4-5 hours.

5. Statistics

   If suitable, continuous data will be reported as mean ± standard deviation (SD), otherwise they will be displayed as median value with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Comparison of continuous data will be by unpaired Student's t-tests or, for non-normal-distributed data, the Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon rank sum test. All correlations will be checked with simple regression analyses. Data from all included participants will be used for the statistical analyse. If correlations are made with the data material it will be evident on the published material. Data analysis will be performed with Stata/ IC 12.1 for Mac (StataCorp, Texas, United States of America).

   5.1. Power calculation

   Our main hypothesis is that β2-agonists increase peak exercise oxygen uptake to the same level as healthy controls. Previously, the same cohort of VSD patients was exercise tested in another study and in terms of peak oxygen uptake a statistically and clinically significant difference was found compared with controls; 38.0 ± 8.2 ml kg-1 min-1 vs. 47.7 ± 6.5 ml kg-1 min-1 9. If we assume a true difference of approximately 75% with the current endpoint, and apply a statistical power of 90 % and a level of significance of 95 %, we therefore need to include 26 participants in each of the three group. We aim at including 30 participants in each group and a total study population of 90 participants.

   Deviations in the statistics or power calculation will be evident in in published material.

6. Data storage

   Each participant will be given an identification number used for all purposes. A list over identification codes and complete name, address and telephone number will be saved and securely stored with the Trial Master File (TMF) and in REDCap. Data will be stored for 10 years. All digitalised data will be stored on two harddrives - one portable external harddrive that is kept safe behind two locked doors at the department and one external server named REDCap with continous back-up. Each identification number will have a Case Report Form (CRF) that also holds printed trial documents. Physical documents will be stored behind two locked doors and the CRF will be stored with the TMF.

   A source datasheet for the information noted in the CRF will be stored with the TMF. It will hold information on the origin of source data concerning, inclusion and exclusion, randomisation, bioimpedance data, Lung function data, Holter-Recordings and Holter-Recording analyses data, orthostatic stress test data and Exercise testing data.

7. Ethical concerns

The study is conducted in accordance with the Helsinki declaration and Danish law.

The project will obtain permission from the Danish Protection Agency, the Danish Health and Medicines Authority, and The Central Denmark Region Committees on Health Research Ethics. Data will be handled in agreement with the personal data handling law and the participants' safety is always the number one priority during this trial.

The project will be supervised by the department of Good Clinical Practice (the GCP-Unit).

Inclusion Criteria:

• ≥18 years of age and legally competent to vouch for their own study participation.
• Informed and written consent for participation in this trial.
• Trial group 1: Surgically corrected for isolated VSD between 1990 and 1998 at Aarhus University Hospital.
• Trial group 2: Diagnosed with isolated VSD born between 1985 and 1998 without surgical or percutaneous closure. Verified by Echocardiography within the last 4 years. If it is more than 4 it will be verified by our doctors as a systolic murmur or echocardiography.
• Trial group 3: 18-30 years, with no known medical records of heart and lung disease.
• Restrain from strenuous leg exercise 24 hours before inclusion.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Lack of medical record.

• Pregnancy.

  o Participants will be asked if they are using contraceptives and be told to continue this during the trial and for at least 30 hours (5 times T2) after their last visit. If they are not using spiral or valid contraceptives (contraceptive pills, implants, transdermal patches, vaginal ring or injections) one of our medical experts will judge if the participant is able to undergo the trial. They will likewise be informed to withstand from sexual intercourse during the trial until 30 hours after the second visit.

• Currently breastfeeding.

• Syndromes, such as Down's.

• Mentally or physically incompetent to perform the ergometer bicycle test.

• Thyrotoxicosis.

• Pre-trial medical record of arrhythmias except right bundle branch block.

• Asthma or other known β2-responsive conditions.

• Coronary heart disease.

• Severe pulmonary disease.

• Diabetes.

• Use of the following medication: Xantin-derivates, steroids, diuretics, ipratropium.

• Allergy to the active ingredients of Ventoline: Salbutamolsulphate, benzalkoniumchloride

The product summary was used to establish exclusion criteria in regards to medication and diseases that aren't eligible with the medical treatment. Other medication than described in the in- and exclusion criteria will be noted in the participants CRF. If the participant takes any special medication one of our trial doctors will determine if the participant should be excluded.

Participants will be informed of the exclusion criteria in the information letter and at the initial information interview before inclusion in the trial. Oral verification is considered sufficient to verify the exclusion criteria.