Reversal of flow in the left pulmonary artery after cavopulmonary connection

J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 1996 Mar-Apr;9(2):202-5. doi: 10.1016/s0894-7317(96)90031-0.

Abstract

The postoperative course of a 15-month-old girl who underwent a bilateral bidirectional cavopulmonary connection was complicated by a left chylothorax and left hemidiaphragm paralysis. Two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography revealed complete flow reversal in the left pulmonary artery. This flow abnormality was confirmed by angiography. Multiple aortopulmonary collaterals had also developed and were coil embolized at the time of catheterization. Coil embolization of the collaterals, combined with relief of the chylothorax and diaphragmatic plication, reestablished forward flow in the left pulmonary artery.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cardiac Catheterization
  • Chylothorax / diagnostic imaging
  • Chylothorax / physiopathology
  • Chylothorax / therapy
  • Echocardiography
  • Echocardiography, Doppler
  • Embolization, Therapeutic
  • Female
  • Heart Bypass, Right*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnostic imaging
  • Postoperative Complications / physiopathology
  • Postoperative Complications / therapy
  • Pulmonary Artery / diagnostic imaging
  • Pulmonary Artery / physiopathology*
  • Respiratory Paralysis / diagnostic imaging
  • Respiratory Paralysis / physiopathology
  • Respiratory Paralysis / therapy