Ls. Shekerdemian et al., CARDIOPULMONARY INTERACTIONS AFTER FONTAN OPERATIONS - AUGMENTATION OF CARDIAC-OUTPUT USING NEGATIVE-PRESSURE VENTILATION, Circulation, 96(11), 1997, pp. 3934-3942
Background The low-output state is the chief cause of morbidity and mo
rtality after Fontan operations. An alternative hemodynamic tool would
be a welcome addition for these patients, who are typically resistant
to conventional therapeutic measures. Methods and Results The hemodyn
amic effects of conversion from conventional intermittent positive pre
ssure ventilation (IPPV) to cuirass negative pressure ventilation (NPV
) was investigated in nine acute postoperative Fontan patients on the
pediatric intensive care unit and nine anesthetized patients undergoin
g cardiac catheterization in the convalescent phase after Fontan opera
tions. Pulmonary blood flow was measured using the direct Fick method
during IPPV and after a brief period of NPV. In one subgroup of patien
ts, pulmonary blood flow was measured again after reinstitution of IPP
V, and in a second subgroup, pulmonary blood flow was measured after a
n extended period of NPV. A brief period of NPV increased pulmonary bl
ood flow from 2.4 to 3.5 L.min(-1)./m(-2), with a mean increase of 42%
. Pulmonary blood flow continued to improve, with a total increase of
54% after an extended period of NPV. Values fell toward baseline after
reinstitution of IPPV. Heart rate was unchanged during NPV, and the i
mprovement in pulmonary blood flow was achieved by an increase in stro
ke volume from 25 mL/m(2) to 37 mL/m.(2) Conclusions Through improveme
nt of the stroke volume alone, NPV brought about a marked increase in
the pulmonary blood flow and, hence, cardiac output of Fontan patients
. An improvement in cardiac output of this order, and by this mechanis
m, is currently unmatched by any therapeutic alternatives.