IMAGING OF PLATELETS IN RIGHT-SIDED EXTRA-CARDIAC CONDUITS IN HUMANS

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 23  (4) , 342-347
Abstract
As a connection between the systemic venous ventricle and the pulmonary artery, valved Dacron extracardiac conduits remarkably influenced the surgical approach to many complex congenital heart defects. Obstruction of the conduit can reduce the long-term effectiveness of this corrective procedure. In addition to stenosis of the porcine valve, formation of thick fibrous neointima plays a major role in the pathogenesis of conduit obstruction. Whether platelet deposition could be demonstrated in these conduits by external imaging with 111In-labeled autologous platelets was determined. After injection of labeled platelets either immediately after operation or on the 5th-8th post-operative day, imaging was performed by standard procedures. Eight of 9 patients had platelet accumulation in the conduit, and treatment with aspirin and dipyridamole caused no recognizable change in platelet deposition. The feasibility of imaging platelet deposition in Dacron conduits was demonstrated it was shown that the pattern of deposition varies with time.