Impact of Atelectasis on RVEDP Following Orthotropic Heart Transplantation

Following orthoptopic heart transplantation (OHT), children undergo surveillance cardiac catheterizations to assess for signs of rejection including muscle biopsy as well as pressure measurements to guide post transplant treatment regiments. These procedures are done under general anesthesia which promotes lung tissue collapse (atelectasis). What is not known is the effect of atelectasis on intracardiac pressures which are a critical area of monitoring post-transplant patients for rejection.