Peripheral blood flow in secundum-type atrial septal defect; preoperative and postoperative studies

The purpose of this study was to correlate intracardiac shunt and peripheral blood flow measured by a venous-occlusion plethysmograph in 30 patients with secundum-type atrial septal defects. Preoperative and postoperative blood flows in the forearm were expressed as milliliters per minute per 100 gm of tissue. Peripheral flow increased after closure of the atrial septal defect, except in seven patients whose flow decreased. A possible explanation for this decrease is discussed.