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Pulmonary arterial compliance in children with atrial and ventricular septal defect

N B Basnet1, S Awa, T Hishi

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, The University of Tokyo, Japan. nbbasnet777@hotmail.com

Heart and Vessels
|February 24, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Pulmonary arterial compliance (Cp) in children with septal defects was assessed using the Windkessel model. Normal Cp values were found in atrial and ventricular septal defect patients, with lower Cp in those with pulmonary hypertension.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Biomedical Engineering

Background:

  • Pulmonary arterial compliance (Cp) values are established in adults but not well-defined in pediatric populations with septal defects.
  • Understanding Cp variations is crucial for managing congenital heart conditions in children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine normal pulmonary arterial compliance (Cp) values in children with atrial septal defects (ASD) and ventricular septal defects (VSD).
  • To investigate the utility of the Windkessel model for assessing Cp in pediatric patients.
  • To compare Cp in children with and without pulmonary hypertension.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized the Windkessel model with compliance and resistance parameters to calculate Cp.
  • Analyzed pulmonary arterial diastolic pressure waveforms from routine cardiac catheterization and catheter-tip manometry in 124 children (45 days to 12 years).
  • Calculated pulmonary vascular resistance (Rp) and pulmonary arterial time constant (Tp) alongside Cp.

Main Results:

  • A strong correlation (r = 0.954) was observed between Cp values derived from routine catheterization and catheter-tip manometry.
  • Mean Cp in normal children was estimated at 1.53 (0.17) ml/mmHg/m², 1.91 (0.10) ml/mmHg/m² in ASD, and 1.70 (0.11) ml/mmHg/m² in VSD patients.
  • Significantly higher Cp was noted in female VSD patients (P=0.04) and significantly lower Cp (0.95 ± 0.06 ml/mmHg/m²) in VSD patients with pulmonary hypertension (VSDPH).

Conclusions:

  • The Windkessel model effectively estimates pulmonary arterial compliance (Cp) in pediatric patients using pressure waveform analysis.
  • Normal Cp values were observed in children with ASD and VSD.
  • Significantly reduced Cp in VSDPH highlights its potential as a diagnostic indicator, with higher Cp in female VSD patients noted.

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