PULMONARY-ARTERY SIZE AFTER BIDIRECTIONAL CAVOPULMONARY CONNECTION

Pulmonary arterial size was measured during cineangiography in 23 pati ents, 1.9 months before, and 14 months after bidirectional cavopulmona ry connection (BCPC). Measurements were standardized for body surface area using the method of Nakata and co-workers (pulmonary artery index ). There was a significant reduction in pulmonary artery index after B CPC. These data suggest that pulmonary arterial growth is impaired aft er the creation of a BCPC. This may be related to an absolute reductio n in pulmonary arterial flow, and/or the loss of systolic expansion of the pulmonary artery.