Doppler echocardiographic evaluation of pulmonary blood flow after the Fontan operation: the role of the lungs.
OBJECTIVE
To document whether the act of respiration influences pulmonary blood flow in patients after the Fontan operation.


METHODS
Prospective study in which patients acted as their own controls.


METHODS
Supraregional paediatric cardiology centre.


METHODS
Sixteen patients who had undergone atriopulmonary anastomosis (Fontan operation) for the treatment of congenital heart disease.


METHODS
Doppler assessment of pulmonary artery flow patterns with a simultaneous respirometer, electrocardiogram and phonocardiogram.


RESULTS
Total (mean (1SD) ) forward pulmonary flow was 63.6 (35)% higher during inspiratory cardiac cycles than during expiratory ones.


CONCLUSIONS
The act of breathing provides an additional energy supply to pulmonary blood flow in patients after the Fontan operation.
Penny
D J
DJ
Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Royal Brompton National Heart and Lung Hospital, London.
Redington
A N
AN
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000601:surgery*; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D012119:Respiration / Q000502:physiology*