Single ventricle
It
consist of a single ventricular cavity in which open both atrioventricular
valves and from which originate both pulmonary artery and aorta. Sometimes
one of the arteries arises from a little accessory chamber which communicates
with the single ventricle.
In 50% of cases the single ventricle is associated
with pulmonary stenosis.
-Fig.
6.10:
Single ventricle. One ventricular cavity receives blood from both atria
and empties directly in pulmonary artery and through an outlet chamber
in aorta-.
Children without pulmonary stenosis are less cyanotic but an increased pulmonary blood flow and heart failure. Sometimes they need palliative surgery of pulmonary artery banding.
The definitive surgery consist in the Fontan procedure because it is impossible to rebuild two ventricles.
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