The data suggest that surgical resection of fixed subaortic stenosis before the development of a significant (> 40 mm Hg) outflow tract gradient may prevent recurrence, reoperation and secondary progressive aortic valve disease.

The results demonstrate that submaximal gas exchange responses to progressive exercise and recovery times after brief high intensity exercise are abnormal in patients after the Fontan procedure. These observations complement the findings of reduced VO2max observed here and by others. We speculate that the mechanisms for these responses are related to 1) a pervasive reduction in stroke volume for both low and high intensity exercise, 2) an abnormal linkage of ventilation to tissue carbon dioxide production, and 3) increased dependence on anaerobic metabolism in skeletal muscles. The prolonged recovery of HR and VO2 provides a possible mechanism for reduced physical activity.

No abstract

Bubble contrast echocardiography is more sensitive in detecting PAVM compared with pulmonary angiography. The prevalence of PAVM in patients with CPA may be much higher than what had been reported previously. Lungs with no hepatic venous blood flow are more likely to develop PAVM than lungs with hepatic venous blood flow.