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Critical issues in studies of flow through the Fontan circuit after 10 years of investigation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 October 2005

Mauro Grigioni
Affiliation:
Cardiovascular Bioengineering, Technology and Health Department, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
Giuseppe D'Avenio
Affiliation:
Cardiovascular Bioengineering, Technology and Health Department, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
Costantino Del Gaudio
Affiliation:
Cardiovascular Bioengineering, Technology and Health Department, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
Umberto Morbiducci
Affiliation:
Cardiovascular Bioengineering, Technology and Health Department, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
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Since the pioneering work of Fontan and Baudet, who suggested that a dysfunctional right ventricle could be bypassed by connecting the pulmonary arteries directly to the right atrium in the so-called atriopulmonary anastomosis, much experience has been gained in the field of the functionally univentricular circulation. In view of the continuing need to optimize the fluid dynamics of the connection, research on this topic remains very active. In particular, it is relevant to consider the power dissipated during flow across a connection of this type, due to the low level of the pressure head available for perfusion. The flow to the lungs in this setting is driven only by the low pressure in the caval veins, thus making it essential to minimize the losses of energy in the connection between the terminal part of the venous system and the pulmonary arteries.

Type
Second International Workshop
Copyright
© 2005 Cambridge University Press