The value of hand grip strength (HGS) as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in congenital heart disease

Abstract

This study provides the most comprehensive data on the use of HGS in CHD to date. Grip strength is an easily applicable, repeatedly usable and a cost-effective diagnostic tool to gain a quick, quantifiable assessment of the patient's current muscle function as an expression of cardiac fitness. Considering the low number of patients who died in the observation period, HGS may not be a suitable tool for survival assessment or identification of patients at risk. However, HGS is well suited to determine muscle function and strength and thereby to identify and to follow-up patients who have an increased cardiovascular risk.