Journal of cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia
-
J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Dec 1994
Application of a transpulmonary double indicator dilution method for postoperative assessment of cardiac index, pulmonary vascular resistance index, and extravascular lung water in children undergoing total cavo-pulmonary anastomosis: preliminary results in six patients.
Total cavo-pulmonary anastomosis (TCPA) is used for the functional correction of an increasing spectrum of congenital heart diseases. The passive pulmonary perfusion after surgical exclusion of the right ventricle has significant implications for the postoperative hemodynamic management of these patients. Because conventional pulmonary artery thermodilution catheters present methodologic problems in patients after TCPA, important cardiovascular variables such as cardiac index (CI) and pulmonary and systemic vascular resistance indices (PVRI, SVRI) usually cannot be assessed directly. ⋯ No catheter-related problems occurred during or after the period of investigation. Postoperative EVLW was within the range that is commonly accepted as normal for adults. Mean PVRI initially decreased during the postoperative course but showed a significant increase after extubation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)