Effect of Mechanical Assistance of the Systemic Ventricle in Single Ventricle Circulation with Cavopulmonary Connection

摘要

BackgroundPrevious attempts to support the single ventricle circulation mechanically have suggested that a custom-built assist device is needed to >push rather than >pull through the pulmonary circulation. We hypothesized that using a >conventional ventricular assist device, with or without conversion of a total cavopulmonary connection to a bidirectional Glenn cavopulmonary connection would allow assistance by >pulling blood through the circuit and improve cardiac index (CI).