The effects of high pulmonary blood flow and pressure on pulmonary development are well understood, but the effect of low pulmonary flow/pressure is not. Pulmonary stenosis (PS) was therefore used as a model to determine its effect on lung development, which was assessed noninvasively by carbon monoxide transfer at rest and during exercise. One hundred and six control children (55 males, 8-16 yrs) and 11 children with isolated valvar or subvalvar PS surgically corrected ≥10 yrs prior to the study without residual stenosis/regurgitation were evaluated. Measurements of effective pulmonary blood flow, stroke volume, arteriovenous oxygen difference (AVO), transfer factor and transfer constant, alveolar ventilation and anaerobic threshold were performed using a mass spectrometer. Data from the normal children allowed calculation of z-scores for the study group matched for age, sex, pubertal stage and surface area. PS children at rest had a significantly lower forced expired volume in one second, cardiac frequency and transfer constant with a raised oxygen consumption and AVO which persisted on exercise. During exercise, the cardiac frequency was 12 beats·min-1 slower and AVO 0.017 L greater than controls (p<0.05). A persistently mildly raised effective functional residual capacity (0.2 L·m-2) during exercise led to a reduced transfer constant (0.35 mmol·min-1·kPa-1·L-1), although the percentage rise (28%) from rest to peak exercise was normal. The percentage fall in stroke volume from the penultimate exercise stage to peak exercise stage was greater in PS children (24%, 95% confidence interval 11- 37) than control children (2.4, -2-10, p<0.005). In conclusion, although the effects are small, pulmonary stenosis does affect cardiopulmonary function after surgery. This needs to be considered when contemplating the timing of treatment.
CITATION STYLE
Rosenthal, M., & Bush, A. (1999). The effects of surgically treated pulmonary stenosis on lung growth and cardiopulmonary function in children during rest and exercise. European Respiratory Journal, 13(3), 590–596. https://doi.org/10.1183/09031936.99.13359099
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