Cardiopulmonary anatomy and function in long-term survivors of mild to moderate congenital diaphragmatic hernia

In the last decades, several studies regarding cardiopulmonary sequelae in survivors of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) have been published, but results often are conflicting, and controversies still exist. The aim of this study was to assess cardiopulmonary anatomic and functional outcome in a group of long-term survivors of CDH of mild to moderate degree. Twenty-four children aged 8.15 ± 2.80 years underwent clinical examination with growth assessment, chest radiographs, echocardiography, pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy, static lung volumes measurement, and spirometry. Mean Z scores of weight for age and height for age were within normal values. Echocardiography showed normal anatomy and function in all but 3 patients with isolated CDH, in whom minor alterations were detected. Mean perfusion to the affected side was significantly lower (45.16 ± 5.30%; P < .0001) but still within normal range. Four children showed a substantial impairment of perfusion to the hernia side. The mean spirometric values and pulmonary volumes were normal. However, a mild restrictive pattern was evident in 6 children (27.3%), an obstructive pattern in 3 (13.6%), and a mixed obstructive and restrictive impairment in 1. Hypoplastic lungs of mild to moderate CDH survivors continue to cause pulmonary morbidity in some children many years after the correction of the defect. In particular, lung perfusion appears to be impaired in 20% of the patients and pulmonary function in 45%, without any significant cardiac or developmental sequelae. The negative correlation between FEV 1 and duration of ventilation at presentation (r = −0.49; P = .026) may be caused by the consequences of lung hypoplasia, but initial ventilatory management may contribute to increased pulmonary morbidity. Relationship between perfusion and FEF 25–75 (r = 0.61; p = 0.004) could reflect an equivalent degree of reduction in the caliber of distal airways and pulmonary vascular tree.