Pattern of pulmonary venous flow in patients with ostium secundum atrial septal defect

The purpose of this study is to determine the possible influence of a left to right atrial shunt over the pulmonary venous flow pattern in children with ostium secundum atrial septal defect (ASD).

Complete two-dimensional, spectral Doppler and colour flow Doppler examination were undertaken to examine the pulmonary vein flow pattern in 74 patients with ASD. This group was compared with a control group of 49 non-cardiological patients of similar ages and gender. Ultimately, pulmonary venous flow patterns changed. Pulmonary vein systolic velocities were significantly increased and diastolic velocities decreased in the ASD patient group compared with the control group. The right ventricular (RV) systolic function, evaluated by tricuspid annular displacement and tricuspid annular systolic velocity, was increased in patients with ASD. No left ventricular dysfunction was detected in the patient study group.

Patients with ASD show changes in the pattern of pulmonary venous flow with an increase in systolic velocity and a decrease in diastolic velocities. This could be caused by an increase in the RV systolic function, which creates a vacuum effect against not only blood from the superior and inferior vena cavae, but also blood from the pulmonary vein through the ASD.