Cardiac rehabilitation for children at WCPCCS - Children's National

Adult cardiac rehabilitation models can be applied to children with thoughtful pediatric adaptation, Pascal Amedro, MD, pediatric cardiologist and researcher from Children's National Hospital, told the audience at the 2025 World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery. Often, pediatric cardiac rehabilitation is reduced to exercise only, which is why previous trials have been unsuccessful, he added. When designed to incorporate developmental, psychosocial, cognitive and educational components, research shows these programs are very effective for children with a multitude of chronic illnesses.

What it means

Dr. Amedro presented evidence for the success of a multi-faceted pediatric cardiac rehabilitation program that is offered in a hybrid format: a mix of in-person training and virtual support. "Hybrid programs improve fitness, health-related quality of life and mental health," he said. "Pediatric cardiac rehabilitation can be feasible, scalable and effective."

Even better, the research shows that programs like Dr. Amedro's QUALIREHAB are effective for more children, adolescents and teens than just those who are recovering from a heart condition. These programs make a big difference in physical, emotional and physical health for children with many different chronic diseases.

Why it matters

Dr. Amedro and pediatric colleagues noted that treatment advances over the last 20 years in pediatric medicine mean that more children are living long after treatment for a chronic condition. Instead of the sole goal being to survive these illnesses, researchers are focused on improving long term quality of life. Successful cardiac rehabilitation will help pediatric patients recover and get stronger physically and mentally.

Children's National leads the way

Children's National is shifting conventional thinking away from short-term survival and toward a focus on long-term quality of life. In 2025, the hospital began to publish first-of-its-kind data on long term outcomes after cardiac surgery, focused on helping parents and providers get a better idea of what life will be like for children up to 20 years after surgery.

Additionally, Dr. Amedro and Jared Hershensen, MD, plan to launch this evidence-based, three-pronged hybrid approach, QUALIREHAB,, as a clinical offering for children with chronic diseases, including congenital heart disease and cancers.