The Pulmonary Circulation and Congenital Heart Disease

Abstract

CARDIOPULMONARY function in the mammalian organism is subjected to a major transformation after birth. The elimination of the utero-placental circulation and the establishment of the pulmonary circulation are associated with a series of stresses and adjustments; changes in the pulmonary circulation are of utmost importance in the successful adaptation to extrauterine existence.The pulmonary circulation has been increasingly recognized to have a very important role in patients with congenital heart disease. It is interesting not only that the pulmonary circulation has a major effect in determining the clinical picture, the natural history, the prognosis and the decision for surgery in . . .