Differing lung function development in infants with univentricular hearts compared with healthy infants

Aim: To compare the difference in lung function development of healthy controls and patients with univentricular hearts from birth prior to surgery and during the first year of life when cardiac shunt procedures and the cavopulmonary connection are required. Methods: Tidal flow-volume measurements and single-occlusion tests were performed from birth serially up to 18 months of age on 28 unsedated spontaneously breathing infants with univentricular hearts and 58 healthy control infants. Results: Infants with univentricular heart physiology had low tidal volumes, low compliance of the respiratory system and high respiratory rate at birth, which over time normalized, whereas the peak expiratory flow increased during the study period. The lung function measured at birth was predictive of later lung function measurements. Conclusion: The pattern of lung function development is different in the patients with univentricular hearts compared to healthy controls. Lung function measured at birth is predictive of later lung function.