Univentricular Conversion for Acquired Severe Right Ventricular Failure

ABSTRACT

A 14-year-old boy developed prolonged right ventricular dysfunction due to post-myocarditis cardiomyopathy, while left ventricular function recovered with conservative treatment. On catheterization, the right ventricular end-diastolic volume index was 184 mL/m², and mean pulmonary artery pressure was 16 mmHg. Despite one-and-a-half ventricle repair, right ventricular dilatation continued to worsen; therefore, three years after the operation, right ventricular exclusion and extracardiac total cavopulmonary connection were performed. Postoperatively, the left ventricular function was maintained, and no further right ventricular dilatation was observed. Univentricular conversion may be an effective procedure for the treatment of acquired severe isolated right heart failure.