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Abnormal ventricular function in patients with univentricular heart. Cineangiographic study.
Herz
|April 1, 1979
Summary
Univentricular heart disease causes abnormal ventricular shape and wall motion, particularly affecting the apex. These myocardial function disturbances are detectable early in affected children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Cardiac Imaging
- Congenital Heart Disease
Background:
- Univentricular heart (UVH) presents unique challenges in ventricular function assessment.
- Understanding myocardial mechanics is crucial for managing UVH patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the basis of ventricular dysfunction in patients with UVH.
- To characterize myocardial function abnormalities in UVH using cineangiography.
Main Methods:
- Digitized cineangiograms from 20 UVH patients (3 weeks to 22 years) were analyzed frame-by-frame.
- Ventricular shape and regional wall motion were quantitatively assessed.
- Comparison with left ventriculograms from other cardiac malformations was performed.
Main Results:
- Ejection fraction and peak systolic shortening rate were generally normal.
- Abnormal end-systolic circularity and reduced shape index were observed in 17 patients.
- Delayed systolic inward movement of the antero-apical wall and hypokinesis were noted in 12 patients.
Conclusions:
- Architectural abnormalities in UVH lead to myocardial dysfunction, especially affecting the apex.
- These functional disturbances are detectable early and are independent of age or cyanosis.
- Absent atrioventricular connection was associated with more frequent abnormalities.