Forward Flow Through the Pulmonary Valve After Bidirectional Cavopulmonary Shunt Benefits Patients at Fontan Operation

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The impact of additional pulmonary forward flow (APF) through the pulmonary valve at the time of bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt (BCPS) is unknown. METHODS: Between 2000 and 2010, 276 patients had BCPS and 126 of them were selected, including 60 patients with APF via pulmonary valve and 66 patients, in whom the pulmonary valve was closed. We compared the length of hospital stay and duration of pleural drainage at BCPS and Fontan operations. We also compared the number of surgical interventions before BCPS, the number of operations between BCPS and Fontan operation, Nakata index prior to Fontan operation, grade of atrioventricular valve regurgitation (AVVR), and oxygen saturatio..