title: Variability of Pulmonary Regurgitation in Proportion to Pulmonary Vascular Resistance in a Porcine Model of Total Resection of the Pulmonary Valve: Implications for Early- and Long-Term Postoperative Management of Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Reconstruction With Resulting Pulmonary Valve Incompetence.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pulmonary regurgitation (PR) is a major concern after right ventricular (RV) outflow tract surgery. We assessed the impact of physiological changes in pulmonary vasculature on hemodynamic severity of PR and RV function and their potential clinical implications for postoperative management using a porcine model with severe PR.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight porcine models of acute PR were established by means of resection of pulmonary valve on cardiopulmonary bypass. After separation from bypass and stabilization, blood flow in the main pulmonary artery was measured by a pulsed Doppler flowmeter, and RV systolic function was assessed on the basis of RV segment shortening (RVSS), which was analyzed by sonomicrometry. In the acute PR model, we verified the impact of pulmonary vascular resistance (Rp) on pulmonary regurgitant fraction (PRF) and RV function. Pulmonary vascular resistance was changed by manipulating the level of PaCo 2 and by inhalation of nitric oxide (NO).
  
  
  RESULTS
  After bypass, the mean PRF was 40% ± 5%, and there was a deterioration of RV function. Under each ventilation condition (high CO2, low CO2, and NO 20 ppm), Rp was 836 ± 207 dyne × s × cm(-5), 499 ± 125 dyne × s × cm(-5), and 340 ± 102 dyne × s × cm(-5), respectively, and PRF was 60% ± 10%, 37% ± 5%, and 24% ± 4%, respectively, under each condition. They also showed a positive correlation in all animals. Cardiac output and RVSS were decreased by hypercapnia, while they were significantly improved after NO inhalation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study indicates that low Rp after right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction (RVOTR) resulting in acute PR is advantageous in reducing the severity of PR and RV volume load. These findings may have clinical implications for early and long-term postoperative management of patients subjected to RVOTR with resulting pulmonary valve incompetence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan kiyozo@jikei.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Kiyozo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Morita
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Takayuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Abe
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Mitsutaka
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nakao
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazuhiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hashimoto
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011664:Pulmonary Valve / Q000601:surgery*; D011665:Pulmonary Valve Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011666:Pulmonary Valve Stenosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation; D013552:Swine; D013997:Time Factors; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D016278:Ventricular Function, Right / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: nitric oxide; pulmonary regurgitation; pulmonary vascular resistance; right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction