The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Vol 76, 706-709, Copyright © 1978 by The American Association for Thoracic Surgery and The Western Thoracic Surgical Association
Pulmonary hyperinflation in ventricular septal defect
KS Oh, SC Park, AG Galvis, LW Young, WH Neches and JR Zuberbuhler
Pulmonary hyperinflation (PH) has frequently been seen in patients with
ventricular septal defect (VSD). Mean age of patients at the time of
cardiac catherization and operation was less in Group II (PHI) than in
Group I (normal pulmonary inflation). There is a statistically significant
difference in the ratio of mean pulmonary to mean systemic blood flow and
the ratio of mean peak pulmonary to mean peak systemic systolic pressures,
with the higher values recorded for Group II. There is no statistically
significant difference in the pulmonary vascular resistance in the two
groups. Thirty-five of the 44 patients with PHI developed normal inflation
within a month after surgical correction of VSD. Possible mechanisms of PHI
in VSD are discussed. PHI is prolong and perpetuate respiratory distress
and can lead to progressive lung disease. PHI is therefore another
indication for early surgical correction of VSD.