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Published on: April 30, 2011
Pulmonary and caval flow dynamics after total cavopulmonary connection
K Houlind1, E V Stenbøg, K E Sørensen
1Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Skejby Sygehus, Aarhus University Hospital, DK - 8200 Aarhus N, Aarhus, Denmark.
Objective:
To assess flow dynamics after total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC).
Design:
Cross-sectional study.
Setting:
Aarhus University Hospital.
Patients:
Seven patients (mean age 9 (4-18) years) who had previously undergone a lateral tunnel TCPC mean 2 (0. 3-5) years earlier.
Interventions:
Pressure recordings (cardiac catheterisation), flow volume, and temporal changes of flow in the lateral tunnel, superior vena cava, and right and left pulmonary arteries (magnetic resonance velocity mapping).
Results:
Superior vena cava flow was similar to lateral tunnel flow (1.7 (0.6-1.9) v 1. 3 (0.9-2.4) l/min*m2) (NS), and right pulmonary artery flow was higher than left pulmonary artery flow (1.7 (0.6-4.3) v 1.1 (0.8-2. 5) l/min*m2, p < 0.05). The flow pulsatility index was highest in the lateral tunnel (2.0 (1.1-8.5)), lowest in the superior vena cava (0.8 (0.5-2.4)), and intermediate in the left and right pulmonary arteries (1.6 (0.9-2.0) and 1.2 (0.4-1.9), respectively). Flow and pressure waveforms were biphasic with maxima in atrial systole and late ventricular systole.
Conclusions:
Following a standard lateral tunnel TCPC, flow returning via the superior vena cava is not lower than flow returning via the inferior vena cava as otherwise seen in healthy subjects; flow distribution to the pulmonary arteries is optimal; and some pulsatility is preserved primarily in the lateral tunnel and the corresponding pulmonary artery. This study provides in vivo data for future in vitro and computer model studies.
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