Impact of operative approach on pulmonary artery development following systemic-to-pulmonary shunt in patients with congenital heart disease and univentricular hemodynamics

The article presents the results of assessment of pulmonary arteries development depending on the operative approach in children with congenital heart disease and univentricular hemodynamics after systemic-to-pulmonary shunt. Twenty three patients were included in the study. Before a bidirectional Glenn shunt these patients underwent pulmonary angiography and assessment of indices of pulmonary artery development: the Nakata and Reddy index, the McGoon ratio. The data obtained show that sternotomy provides more adequate development of pulmonary arteries and doesn't damage the architectonics of pulmonary vessels in comparison with the patients who underwent systemic-to-pulmonary shunt through lateral thoracotomy.