[Angiocardiographic characteristics of patients post bidirectional Glenn procedure]

The study was performed to observe the angiocardiographic characteristics of patients post bidirectional Glenn procedure.

Thirty-eight consecutive patients [24 male/14 female, age 0.9 - 28 (7.8 ± 5.6) years] underwent bidirectional Glenn procedure were included in this study. Postoperative cardiac catheterization and angiocardiography were performed at 2 - 7 (4.1 ± 1.9) years after bidirectional Glenn procedure.

Of 38 patients, pulmonary arterial mean pressure (PAMP) was (14.8 ± 4.5) mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa), the mean pressure of superior vena cava (MPSVC) was (15.4 ± 5.4) mm Hg and no pressure gradient was detected. Elevated pulmonary arterial pressure was evidenced in 9 patients: PAMP was (21.5 ± 2.9) mm Hg and MPSVC was (22.9 ± 5.1) mm Hg. Systemic venous collateral channels (SVCC) were shown in 14 patients and PAMP [(16.7 ± 5.7) mm Hg vs. (13.7 ± 3.4) mm Hg, P < 0.05] and MPSVC [(17.8 ± 7.2) mm Hg vs. (14.0 ± 3.6) mm Hg, P < 0.05] were higher in SVCC patients compared to patients without SVCC. Transcatheter closure was successfully performed in 2 patients. Distribution of SVCC was as follows: Posterior SVCC in 12 patients (associated anterior SVCC in 3 patients and middle SVCC in 1 patient), middle SVCC in 2 patients. Pulmonary arteriovenous fistulae were presented in 2 patients. Aortopulmonary collateral arteries were presented in another 2 patients and were successfully occluded percutaneously.

Catheterization and angiocardiography play an important role in recognizing the complications post bidirectional Glenn procedure.