LUNG FUNTION LONG-TERM AFTER ARTERIAL SWITCH OPERATION OF TRANSPOSITION OF THE GREAT ARTERIES

OBJECTIVES: Cardiopulmonary condition and quality of life of patients after successful arterial switch (anatomical) operation (SWT) for transposition of the great arteries (TGA) could be influenced by possibly disturbed lung function. Study on pulmonary function (PFT) using a wide spectrum of methods long-term after SWT is lacking.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty eight patients with TGA were operated on by SWT operation at the age of 24.4±51.8 (median 10.0) days; small VSD was closed simultaneously in 15/58, 26%. Static lung volumes (by body plethysmography), lung elasticity (in 16/58, 28% pts indicated) and central/peripheral airway patency measurements were performed at the age of 9.7±2.0 (median 9.7) years after SWT.

RESULTS (mean value of % predicted±SD):
Vital capacity (VC) 93.2±15.9   N.S.
Total lung capacity (TLC) 101.6±24.2   N.S.
Residual volume to TLC (RV/TLC) 108.2±30.3   P<0.04
Lung recoil at 100% TLC (Pst100)  128.0±36.7   P<0.002
Specific lung compliance (Cst/TLC) 83.1±23.4   P<0.01
Peak expiratory flow (PEF) 91.0±15.5   P<0.04
Maximum expiratory flow at 25% VC/TLC 98.2±31.4   N.S.

CONCLUSIONS: Neither lung volume restriction nor peripheral airway obstruction was found long-term after successful SWT operation for TGA. Mild central airway obstruction, lung hyperinflation and stiff lungs were detected. Next measurements could validate present data.

Supported by the Research Project No. MZO 00064203 / 6404 of the Czech Ministry of Health