The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Vol 74, 436-439, Copyright © 1977 by The American Association for Thoracic Surgery and The Western Thoracic Surgical Association
Experimental bypass of the left ventricle
HW Knott and DB Doty
Bypass of the left ventricle was accomplished in dogs and the entire
circulation was supported temporarily by only the right ventricle. The
atrial septum was excised, and the atrium was repartitioned so that the
pulmonary veins were in continuity with the right ventricle and the venae
cavae were connected through the atrium. Anastomosis of the superior vena
cava to the right pulmonary artery brought systemic venous return directly
to the lungs. The main pulmonary artery was ligated proximal to the
bifurcation, preserving distal confluence of right and left pulmonary
arteries. A tubular prosthesis between the proximal pulmonary artery and
the aorta connected the right ventricle to the systemic circuit. This
procedure, or some modification of the principle, may have clinical
feasibility in the treatment of patients with hypoplastic left heart
syndrome.