Michael V. Di Maria1, Matthew Mulvahill2, James Jaggers3, David Dunbar Ivy1, Adel K. Younoszai1
Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.13, No.2, pp. 311-318, 2018, DOI:10.1111/chd.12574
Abstract Objective: Infants with single ventricle physiology typically undergo cardiac catheterization prior
to superior cavopulmonary anastomosis (SCPA) to assess operative suitability. Predictors of poor
outcome at sea level include elevated pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP), indexed pulmonary vascular resistance (PVRi), age <3 months, significant atrioventricular valve regurgitation, among
others. Increased altitude has vasoconstrictive effects on the pulmonary vasculature, which may
affect pre-SCPA hemodynamics and outcomes. The goal of this study was to determine the predictive value of pre-SCPA catheterization data with regard to reaching Fontan palliation at altitude.
Design: A retrospective review revealed 150 patients who underwent pre-SCPA catheterization… More >