A study published in Pediatric Cardiology found that infants with elevated left ventricular internal dimensions (LVIDd) prior to ventricular septal defect (VSD) repair are at risk for postoperative left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD). Postoperative LVSD is common in these patients but resolves within 9 months of surgery. The study, conducted at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, included 164 infants who underwent VSD repair. Patients with preoperative LVIDd z-scores greater than 3.1 had prolonged resolution of LVSD. The study authors recommend consideration of VSD closure before significant left ventricular dilation develops. Limitations of the study include its retrospective design and variations in surgical techniques.
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Left Ventricular Size Predicts Dysfunction in Infant Ventricular Septal Defects
