Cavo-pulmonary Connection
Pronunciation: KAY-voh-PUHL-muh-ner-ee
A surgical anastomosis connecting the systemic venous return directly to the pulmonary arteries, bypassing the ventricle.
Full Definition
A cavo-pulmonary connection is a surgical procedure that creates a direct pathway between the systemic venous return (superior or inferior vena cava) and the pulmonary arteries, effectively bypassing ventricular circulation. This technique is commonly employed in staged reconstruction of single ventricle physiology, serving as an intermediate step before complete Fontan circulation. The procedure redirects deoxygenated blood directly to the lungs without requiring ventricular pumping. Editorial teams should note the hyphenation and ensure consistent terminology when describing these complex cardiac procedures.
Usage
Usage note: Always hyphenate; avoid spacing variations like 'cavo pulmonary' or 'cavopulmonary'.
In Context
- "The cavo-pulmonary connection was performed as part of the staged single ventricle palliation." — Operative report
- "Post-operative imaging confirmed excellent flow through the cavo-pulmonary connection." — Follow-up imaging report