Norikazu Tatsuta

Left ventricular volume characteristics in children with tricuspid atresia before and after surgery

Abstract Left ventricular volume variables (left ventricular end-diastolic volume, ejection fraction, mass and systolic output) were quantified in (1) 13 patients with tricuspid atresia preoperatively (type Ia, 3 patients; type Ib, 9 patients; type IIb, 1 patient), (2) 4 patients after a shunt procedure (Blalock-Taussig, 3; Glenn, 1), and (3) 1 patient after corrective surgery. Cardiac catheterization and angiography were performed at age 1 month to 5.8 years (mean 1.4 years). All patients had decreased pulmonary blood flow. The results were compared with data in 15 patients with no significant heart disease. Left ventricular end-diastolic volume was significantly greater than normal in 12 of the 13 patients. Left ventricular mass was significantly greater than normal, but ejection fraction was significantly less than normal. There was a positive correlation between ejection fraction and systemic oxygen saturation. Left ventricular systolic index was normal in 9 of the 13 patients preoperatively. After a shunt procedure, left ventricular end-diastolic volume and systolic index increased significantly in all four patients, and ejection fraction improved greatly in three of the four. After corrective surgery, left ventricular end-diastolic volume and left ventricular systolic index returned to the normal range and left ventricular ejection fraction improved. These findings suggest that patients with tricuspid atresia have impaired left ventricular function.

Dissecting Aneurysm during Pregnancy and the Puerperium

According to Schnitker, Mandel, Hirst and their associates, approximately half of the dissecting aneurysms in women under 40 years of age are associated with pregnancy. This significant relationship between dissecting aneurysm and pregnancy has been discussed by considering hemodynamic stress and also the hormonal changes of pregnancy. In this report, we describe five patients with dissecting aneurysm during pregnancy or the puerperium, review the literature and discuss the influence of pregnancy on the pathogenesis of this disease.