Surgical treatment for isolated hypoplasia of the right ventricle

J Cardiovasc Surg (Torino). 1992 Jul-Aug;33(4):496-501.

Abstract

Four patients with isolated hypoplasia of the right ventricle who underwent intracardiac repair are described. An atrial septal defect (ASD) was successfully closed in 3 patients with mild hypoplasia of the right ventricle. The remaining patients underwent ASD closure and right atrium-to-pulmonary artery connection with a conduit with a bovine pericardial valve because of severe hypoplasia of the right ventricle and tricuspid valve. Postoperative angiocardiogram in the last patient demonstrated two-channel pathways from the right atrium to the pulmonary artery via both the right ventricle and external conduit. At long-term follow-up studies, 3 patients had developed arrhythmias and/or sinus node dysfunction, and one had died, probably because of arrhythmia, 13 years postoperatively. The right ventricular ejection fractions were below normal levels at 11 and 12 years postoperatively in 2 patients who underwent closure of ASD. It was concluded that the mild form of hypoplasia of the right ventricle should be surgically corrected by ASD closure, while right atrium-to-pulmonary artery connection or Fontan's operation should be chosen for cases of severe hypoplasia. Arrhythmias and hypofunction of the right ventricle are long-term problems after intracardiac repair of this anomaly.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / epidemiology
  • Child
  • Cyanosis / congenital
  • Cyanosis / diagnosis
  • Cyanosis / physiopathology
  • Cyanosis / surgery
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / diagnosis
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / physiopathology
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / surgery*
  • Heart Ventricles / abnormalities
  • Heart Ventricles / physiopathology
  • Heart Ventricles / surgery
  • Hemodynamics
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Postoperative Complications / epidemiology